Easel
Not on view
This easel is a more ornate example than the other Empire period model in the museum’s collection (1972.284.17). The carved swans’ heads featured atop the mahogany base suggests that it was used for display purposes rather than a practical painting tool. Mythological creatures denoting sensuality and seduction, swans became a popular motif during the Empire period. They can be found across a wide variety of furnishings, including the lavabo executed by Martin-Guillaume Biennais, also in the Met’s collection (26.256.1).
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