An Exceptional Pair of Late Louis XV Painted Fauteuils A La Reine Attributed to Nicholas Heurtaut and Possibly Painted by the Martin Brothers

Each with cartouche-shaped padded back and seat upholstered in foliate stitched pale blue silk, the moulded frames and seat rails carved with ribbon-tied flower sprays on cabriole legs headed by flowerheads and strapwork. Nicholas Heurtaut Considered one of the best chairmakers during the Louis XV period. He supplied richly carved chairs to the Royal family after becoming a Maitre in December 1755. He adapted his style from Rococo to Transitional and then Neoclassical to reflect the changing fashions. His work can be seen at the Louvre, the Chateau de Versailles, the Boston Museum of Fine Art, The Getty Museum in California, The Frick Collection in New York, The Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Versailles In 1755 the Dauphin, the son of Louis XV had his library together with a small reception room painted in very similar colours. This new technique of decorating rooms became popular with the aristocracy when the Martin Brothers discovered the method of applying varnishes to appear as though they are lacquer.