Design for the painted decoration of a coffered ceiling incorporating initials (G and H) for a house on the rue de Clichy 1830 - 1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise made this design for a coffered ceiling with watercolor and graphite. The design, with its ornate initials, speaks to the culture of bourgeois domesticity that flourished in France, particularly Paris, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We can look at how the design creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. The coffered ceiling itself evokes classical architecture, a signifier of wealth and status. The initials "G" and "H" personalized the space, literally branding it with the owners’ identity. The building itself, situated on the rue de Clichy, was constructed in an area undergoing significant transformation during this time. The design reveals social divisions, catering to the tastes of an elite clientele. By exploring sources such as architectural plans, social registers, and decorative arts journals, we can better understand the design and interpret its meaning within its specific social and institutional context.