Boekenkast 1895 - 1935

This print of a bookcase was made at an unknown date by Léon Laroche. The subtle color palette of muted blues, greens, and browns gives this bookcase the feel of a dream library, somewhere you might get wonderfully lost. The texture is created through fine lines, building up depth and shadow in a way that feels both precise and delicate. Look at the tiny details on the carved ornaments and how they are defined through the use of a few economical strokes. The bookcase feels both solid and ephemeral, like something that exists in both the real world and in the imagination. The Renaissance style is beautifully rendered, but there is a slight looseness of touch that keeps things interesting, even alive. I’m reminded of Piranesi's architectural fantasies. Like Piranesi, Laroche gives us a structure that is more than just a functional object, but a space for dreaming.