Credensmeubel 1885 - 1895

This is an image of Credensmeubel, made by Léon Laroche. Look closely and you'll see the details of the Renaissance Revival style. This print probably acted as a reference material for furniture makers. It is meant to be instructional, almost like a page from a pattern book. The drawing is rendered with great accuracy, showing the interplay of flat planes and complex relief carving. Imagine the labor involved in producing such an object: from felling trees to milling lumber, to the careful work of joinery and embellishment. The design emphasizes the importance of display, a kind of domestic theater meant to impress visitors. Laroche’s image reflects the 19th-century obsession with historical styles, but also points to the incredible skill that craftspeople brought to the project of reviving the past.