Which chair is Louis XVI? How can you tell?

• A. Left: large proportions
• B. Middle: curved legs
• C. Right: straighter lines than Louis XV, more classical references
• D. Center: ornate back with cartouche

Answer: (C)

Louis XVI seats read as Neoclassical, showing straight, architectural lines and restrained classical details rather than the curves of earlier Rococo work. The chair on the right embodies this shift: its lines are straight and orderly, with a more upright, rectangular back and simpler ornament that nods to Greek and Roman motifs. This contrasts with the Rococo-era pieces that emphasize curved cabriole legs, sinuous shapes, and highly decorative backs. So the chair with straighter lines and classical references is the Louis XVI style.