Design for Ceiling of the Duchess of Newcastle's Petit Salon, Hôtel Hope 1867

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise designed this watercolor and graphite study for a ceiling in the Hôtel Hope in Paris. This design provides us with a glimpse into the opulent world of early 20th-century Parisian high society. Imagine the Duchess of Newcastle, a woman of immense wealth and social standing, commissioning such a design for her private salon. In that era, the aristocracy were eager to revive the styles of the 18th century, which was seen as a golden age of elegance. This design, with its delicate lilac arabesques, evokes a sense of refined femininity and grace. The symmetry and order of the design speak to a desire for control and containment, perhaps reflecting the limited roles afforded to women in that society. While seemingly decorative, this ceiling design is a potent emblem of identity, class, and gender in a rapidly changing world.