Kast 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche made this print of a "Kast", or wardrobe, as part of a series on furniture design. Prints like this circulated widely in 19th-century France as part of a broader culture of design reform. The state, concerned about the perceived decline of French craftsmanship, promoted the study and imitation of historical styles. Institutions such as the "Garde-Meuble," suggested in the title here, were responsible for cataloging and preserving the nation's artistic heritage. Note the intricate carvings and classical motifs, signs of "good" design according to the prevailing academic taste. Laroche’s print, with its precise rendering, served as a template for artisans, dictating forms and ornament. We might ask, what vision of national identity is being promoted here? Is it forward-looking or backward-facing? To answer these questions, we can consult design manuals, exhibition reviews, and the records of institutions involved in shaping public taste. This artwork reminds us that taste and design are never neutral; they are always embedded in social and institutional structures.