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Boiserie from the Hôtel de Varengeville

ca. 1736–52, with later additions
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 525
Superb carving, partly in high relief, constitutes the chief glory of this room's boiserie, or wood paneling, originally from one of the private residences of eighteenth-century Paris, the Hôtel de Varengeville, which still stands, albeit much altered, at 217, boulevard Saint-Germain. Although the painted and gilded oak paneling is richly embellished with C-scrolls, S-scrolls, sprigs of flowers, and rocaille motifs, its decoration is still largely symmetrical and thus does not represent the full-blown Rococo style. The trophies allude to concepts and qualities such as music, gardening, military fame, and princely glory, and the long-necked birds perched on the scrolling frames of the mirrors and wall panels reflect contemporary interest in the exotic.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Boiserie from the Hôtel de Varengeville
  • Date: ca. 1736–52, with later additions
  • Culture: French, Paris
  • Medium: Carved, painted, and gilded oak
  • Dimensions: H. 18 ft. 3-3/4 in. (5.58 m), W. 23 ft. 2-1/2 in. (7.07 m), L. 40 ft. 6-1/2 in. (12.36 m)
  • Classification: Woodwork
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman Gift, 1963
  • Object Number: 63.228.1
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Audio

Cover Image for 2275. Overview: Varengeville Room, Part 1

2275. Overview: Varengeville Room, Part 1

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More Artwork

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Boiserie from the Hôtel de Cabris, Grasse, Carved, painted, and gilded oak, French, Paris
Boiserie from the Hôtel de Cabris, Grasse
French, Paris
ca. 1774, with later additions
Grand Salon from the Hôtel de Tessé, Paris, Nicolas Huyot, Carved, painted, and gilded oak; marble; plaster, French, Paris
Grand Salon from the Hôtel de Tessé, Paris
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1768–72, with later additions
Boudoir from the Hôtel de Crillon, Pierre-Adrien Paris French, Oak, painted and gilded, French, Paris
Boudoir from the Hôtel de Crillon
Pierre-Adrien Paris
ca. 1777–80
Boiserie from the Hôtel Lauzun, Carved and painted oak, French, Paris
Boiserie from the Hôtel Lauzun
French, Paris
ca. 1770, with one modern panel
The Louis XV Room, Jean-François Roumier, Carved, painted and gilded oak, French, Paris
The Louis XV Room
Jean-François Roumier
ca. 1720–25, with later additions

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