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| Tutankhamon's Throne; Roman Lectus; Great Bed of Ware |
This course is your handy dandy guide to identifying key styles of furniture from the history of the western world. We’ll also look at how the culture of the times shaped what people sat on, slept on, ate at and how they decorated their rooms.
We’ll examine how the earliest forms of furniture in the ancient world influenced later periods. Medieval Europe produced the Great Hall and formal dining table, while in Renaissance Italy, a prosperous merchant class defined the concept of luxurious living. In France, the Palace of Versailles was a nexus for design for two centuries, producing the beloved Louis XV and Louis XVI styles that are still copied today.
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| Renaissance cassone; Marie Antoinette's Study; Émile Gallé étagère |
Eighteenth century England produced the great furniture designers, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. The 19th century is notable for Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts and Japanisme. In the 20th century, Bauhaus, Mid-Century Modern and Postmodern design form the basis of what we have around us in our homes and offices today. You’ll look at furniture in a whole new light upon completion of this course.
This course is taught at University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. Registration here: http://learn.utoronto.ca
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| F.L. Wright, Martin House; Rietveld, Blue & Red Chair; P. Stark, Ghost Chair |