Louis XVI

During this time of social upheaval, we see the decline of the Rococo and the beginning of austerity budgets. There is a return to classicism with the recent excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Louis XVI frames have straight lines with restrained ornaments made of composition such as lamb’s tongue, fluting, beads, egg and dart and plain panels. Frames are symmetrical and we see increased use of the cassetta profile. This continues into the Empire period, under the reign of Napoleon.