Designs for two panels painted in rinceaux 1830 - 1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise rendered these panel designs with ink, watercolor, and graphite. The rinceaux, or scrolling foliage, bring to mind ancient Roman friezes, and are reminiscent of the acanthus leaves that adorn Corinthian columns. This motif echoes through time, recurring in various forms, from the illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period to the decorative arts of the Renaissance. Look closely, and you’ll observe how the abstract nature of these vegetal patterns hints at the underlying life force they represent. In a way, such foliage speaks to the cyclical patterns of nature, to the deep-seated human connection with growth and renewal. Consider the psychological appeal: the rhythmic repetition of these forms can evoke a sense of harmony, reflecting our inherent need for order and balance. This design is not static but part of a long, unbroken chain of visual expression. And so, the rinceaux motif resurfaces, adapting yet retaining the core symbolic power across the ages.