This photograph of two lamps atop a pier table in the Blue Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. Hanging above the pier table is Samuel Morse's portrait of President James Monroe. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval-shaped parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection. The Blue Room traditionally has several pieces from the 53-piece furniture suite crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the Monroe administration.

This photograph of two lamps atop a pier table in the Blue Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. Hanging above the pier table is Samuel Morse's portrait of President James Monroe. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval-shaped parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection. The Blue Room traditionally has several pieces from the 53-piece furniture suite crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the Monroe administration.

This close up of a sofa from the 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014. The suite was crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration. The pieces of the suite still in the White House Collection are traditionally on display in the Blue Room. The photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection.

This close up of a sofa from the 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014. The suite was crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration. The pieces of the suite still in the White House Collection are traditionally on display in the Blue Room. The photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection.

This close up of a sofa from the 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014. The suite was crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration. The pieces of the suite still in the White House Collection are traditionally on display in the Blue Room. The photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection.

This close up of a sofa from the 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014. The suite was crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration. The pieces of the suite still in the White House Collection are traditionally on display in the Blue Room. The photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection.

This close up of a sofa from the 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014. The suite was crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration. The pieces of the suite still in the White House Collection are traditionally on display in the Blue Room. The photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection.

This close up of a sofa from the 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014. The suite was crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration. The pieces of the suite still in the White House Collection are traditionally on display in the Blue Room. The photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection.

This photograph of two lamps atop a pier table in the Blue Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. Hanging above the pier table is Samuel Morse's portrait of President James Monroe. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval-shaped parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection. The Blue Room traditionally has several pieces from the 53-piece furniture suite crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the Monroe administration.

This photograph of two lamps atop a pier table in the Blue Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. Hanging above the pier table is Samuel Morse's portrait of President James Monroe. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval-shaped parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection. The Blue Room traditionally has several pieces from the 53-piece furniture suite crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the Monroe administration.

This Sheffield silverplate Argand lamp was manufactured by Matthew Boulton of London circa 1786. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the Richard King Mellon Foundation in 1971.

This is one of several pairs of Argand lamps present in the White House. This particular pair was presented to Revolutionary War General Henry Knox by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the American Institute of Interior Designers in 1962.

This gilt bronze, cut glass, and glass Argand lamp was reportedly given to First Lady Dolley Madison by one of Napoleon Bonaparte's brothers. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was possibly manufactured by Messinger & Son of Birmingham, England. This lamp was a gift of Mrs. Edward W.C. Russell in 1976.

This is one of several pairs of Argand lamps present in the White House. This particular pair was presented to Revolutionary War General Henry Knox by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the American Institute of Interior Designers in 1962.

This is one of several pairs of Argand lamps present in the White House. This particular pair was presented to Revolutionary War General Henry Knox by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the American Institute of Interior Designers in 1962.

This is one of several pairs of Argand lamps present in the White House. This particular pair was presented to Revolutionary War General Henry Knox by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the American Institute of Interior Designers in 1962.

This is one of several pairs of Argand lamps present in the White House. This particular pair was presented to Revolutionary War General Henry Knox by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the American Institute of Interior Designers in 1962.

This is one of several pairs of Argand lamps present in the White House. This particular pair was presented to Revolutionary War General Henry Knox by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was a gift of the American Institute of Interior Designers in 1962.

This lamp showcasing a wreathed bust likeness of George Washington surmounted by an eagle is attributed to William Carlton. It is constructed of gilded brass, glass, and marble.