Jean-Henri Riesener

While some museums are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Apollo’s usual weekly pick of exhibitions will include shows at institutions that are currently open as well as digital projects providing virtual access to art and culture.

The furniture of Jean-Henri Riesener, with its signature floral marquetry and elaborate gilt-bronze mounts, typifies the opulent era of Louis XVI; he was appointed cabinetmaker to the king in 1774, and was a favourite of Marie-Antoinette. Over the past five years, a research project led by the Wallace Collection in partnership with the Royal Collection Trust and Waddesdon Manor has delved into Riesener’s life and work, and now culminates in a series of exhibitions across the institutions, as well as a number of new digital resources. At the Wallace is a display focusing on furniture owned by Marie-Antoinette, and on Riesener’s influence on 19th-century cabinetmakers (until 5 April 2021); in the spring, Waddesdon will present an object trail featuring 11 pieces of the Frenchman’s work. A digital trail is now available on the Royal Collection’s website, while the Wallace Collection has launched a dedicated microsite that includes a variety of new texts and images.

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Portrait of Jean-Henri Riesener, the artist’s father (1800), Henri François Riesener. Courtesy Wallace Collection, London

Chest-of-drawers (1782; re-veneered c. 1795–1815), cabinetwork by Jean-Henri Riesener. Courtesy Wallace Collection, London

Cylinder desk (c. 1785), attributed to Jean-Henri Riesener. Courtesy Wallace Collection, London

Fall-front desk (1783; addition of the gilt-bronze medallion and rectangular plaque c. 1794–1825), cabinetwork by Jean-Henri Riesener. Courtesy Wallace Collection, London