Venster met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

This print, "Venster met gordijnen" (Window with Curtains) by Léon Laroche, is a delicate dance of line and wash, rendered with what looks like watercolor and ink. It captures not just a window, but a mood, a particular kind of faded grandeur. The artist's hand is evident in the way the colors pool and blend, creating soft edges and subtle shifts in tone. Look closely, and you can see how the layering of washes gives depth to the fabric and walls, while the fine lines of the drawing define the architectural details and the intricate patterns of the curtain. The choice of a muted palette—dusty rose, pale blue, and creamy white—evokes a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, as if we're peering into a forgotten corner of a grand estate. For me, the gold trim on the curtain really grabs the eye. It's like a tiny burst of sunshine in an otherwise subdued scene. Laroche invites us to see the beauty in the ordinary, and to find moments of quiet contemplation in the midst of our busy lives. You can really see a conversation here with someone like Fragonard, with that same eye for rococo detail.