Récamier

Récamier refers to several entities, most notably Juliette Récamier, a prominent figure in French society during the First Empire and Restoration. Born Jeanne Françoise Julie Adélaïde Bernard in 1777, she married the wealthy banker Jacques-Rose Récamier at a young age. Madame Récamier became a renowned salonnière, hosting a celebrated literary and political salon that attracted many of the era's most influential intellectuals and artists. Her beauty and intelligence made her a muse for many, including the painter Jacques-Louis David, whose iconic portrait of her lounging on a chaise longue remains famous.

The "Chaiselongue Récamier," a type of sofa characterized by its méridienne design, is named in her honor, inspired by David's portrait. This piece of furniture, with its reclining back and absence of a high back at one end, became a symbol of Neoclassical style. Beyond furniture and portraiture, the name Récamier is also associated with a type of pastry, the "Chocolat Récamier," a chocolate-covered biscuit. This confection, though less historically significant, carries the legacy of the name through popular culture. The enduring fame of Juliette Récamier and her association with art and style have led to the name's continued recognition in various contexts.