Empress Eugenie de Montijo Suite

Era: French Empire circa 1862

Monarch: Empress Eugenie de Montijo (wife of

Napoleon Bonaparte

Artist: Manet

Interior Characteristics:

• The French Empire style is basically the Neoclassical or Neo-Palladian style except modified to fit the imperial movement of the time.
• This style is to show a palatial grandeur and a sophisticated flair. It displays geometric proportions and with architectural details added to the interior or furniture piece.
• Rooms are usually bold colours with stripes going down the walls and on the ceiling. This would be painted, covered in fabric, or wallpapered.
• Azure blues, rich greens, red ochre and acid yellows became popular for
• interior decoration. Softer colours were still used, lilac being one of the most popular.
• Because of the invention of the jacquard loom, fabrics and textiles become cheaper and easier to obtain.
• The textiles will also become vibrant with colours and patterns. The main patterns during this time would be the Napoleonic patterns showcasing bees, eagles, caryatids, wreathes, or Josephine’s swan.
• Cabinets, tables are either made of exotic woods like mahogany or gilded ormolu. These pieces would be large in scale.