The most modern of these different works are at least of the last century, and we don’t make them now because they say: This is not in style. As if that which is really beautiful [is] not forever, and that works of sculpture and or gold, often very mediocre (as is made too often nowadays), were preferable to chefs-d’oeuvre of the last century, for which we have no regard for any more, and for which we have substituted elegant super-abundance, which has no other merit than being of the passing style, which is soon erased by another, which doesn’t even exist longer than the caprice of those who have invented it.
— A.J. Roubo, “L’Art du Menuisier”
Super abundance is on a downward spiral so we will have no choice but to return once again to beautiful!
Holy mother of run on sentences.
You have no idea… Really.
I do, Don. Before plunging into 18th century French, I’d have bet you couldn’t fit 8 semi-colons into one sentence. No longer.
Chris, I know this blog is not about photographs, but I’d like to see more of yours.
I’m a little rusty on my Roubobonics.
What the hell is he talking about?
rococo with gilt ormolu mounts. Later repeated with empire, then art neuveau furniture. If more is more, then a whole crapload is better still.
Looks like the pigeons have come home to roast.
Excellent pun.
Wow! I’m glad I don’t have to try to read this in French!
Looks like the eternal flame in Daley Center Plaza, near the Picasso (Chicago). That ugly one, third from the left is a mean bugger.
Monsieur Roubo was doing his Michel de Nostredame (Nostredamus) impersonation and predicting the coming of Ikea.
This is in Chicago isn’t it? What a great image to use. I’ve spent time thinking about those birds before.