THE STYLE OF LOUIS XVI. 



465 



requirements, and, if erring on the side of frigidity, usually satisfies the 

 eye by its tranquil sobriety and massive proportions. Its decoration 

 is as elegant and refined as that of the age of Louis XV., but tamer and 

 less piquant. The generation for which it was devised, though no less 

 frivolous or artificial than the preceding one, had read Jean Jacques 

 and preferred sentiment to vivacity and wit. 



The style of Louis XVI. is the last true scion of the Renaissance in 

 France, the last, at least, which followed the old quest of recapturing 

 the inspiration of ancient architecture and clothing modern construction 

 in forms derived from it, but adapted ad hoc by a process of selec- 

 tion and generalisation. A new ideal, both intellectually and artistically 

 inferior, now began to replace the old, aiming at the accurate reproduc- 

 tion of particular monuments or of as large portions of them as could 

 by any possible means be made to accord with modern requirements. 

 Thus the letter took precedence over the spirit, with the usual unsatis- 

 factory results, and, while the details and composition of antiquity were 

 more accurately copied, they were used to less purpose. 



443. DECORATIVK COMPOSITION BY G. P. CAUVET. 



