Empire style in interior design

Empire style, the leading masters of which were Persier and Fontep, thematically based on antiquity with the introduction of motifs from Pompeii murals and in part - Egyptian art. Elements of pastorality, characteristic of the style of Louis XVI, disappear. The subject of the Empire style is largely connected with heroic, triumphal motifs. Garlands and wreaths, imperial eagles, Roman military armor, small Late Roman acante, antique geometric ornamentation (meander, etc.), figures in antique clothes, vases, palmettes, lyre, macaroons, cornucopia, imitation of the Pompeii candelabrum compositions, less often motifs are used fauna; Egyptian themes: sphinxes, mummies, obelisks. The composition of the empire ornament is close to the Roman samples. Mirror symmetry is noted. The background is weakly filled, the ornament is located on the edges of the surface. Sculptural processing in the interiors gives way to the picturesque.

The color range of the Empire style differs sharply from the color solutions that are characteristic of the 18th century. Intense tones are introduced: purple, crimson, blue, green, yellow. Gilding is widely used.

For decoration of interiors there are, just as in the XVIII century, silk fabrics, which are covered with walls.

In furniture, preference is given to mahogany with bronze gilded ornamental details.

The most common material is mahogany, the smooth surface of which was complemented with gilt bronze parts. They were, as noted above, ancient figures and reliefs, sphinxes, various kinds of garlands, palmettes, stars, sockets, etc.

The design of furniture uses antique, especially Roman architectural forms: columns, pilasters, consoles, cornices and friezes, used to divide the front sides of cabinets and chest of drawers. The supporting parts of tables, chairs, chairs, sofas are made in the form of antique germs, sphinxes, griffins, columns and lion paws, borrowed from the ruins of ancient Rome and the excavations of Pompeii. In the form of furniture are used rectangular, massive, closed forms. The interiors are dominated by peace, orderliness, strict symmetry and complete balance of the parts.