Art Institute of Chicago

Armchair

Thomas Chippendale

Date

1768

Medium

Painted oak, modern upholstery

Culture

England

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This chair is part of a suite of furniture commissioned by the celebrated actor David Garrick and his wife Eva Marie for their home in Hampton, about 15 miles outside London. It is likely that the prominent architect and designer Robert Adam introduced Garrick to its maker, Thomas Chippendale. A 1768 invoice from Chippendale to the Garricks lists “8 French Arm Chairs very neatly Carv’d & painted Blue & white . . . cover’d with your own Blue Damask.” Though the painted—as opposed to gilt—finish on the chair reflects the rustic setting of a country villa, it was nevertheless one of the most luxurious items of furniture in the house.

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