Two alternative designs for the painted decoration of a ceiling 1830 - 1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created these alternative ceiling designs using graphite, pen, and watercolor. These aren't high art materials, but rather the everyday tools of an architectural draftsman. The design is divided, with the left side featuring a bolder, more geometric pattern of blue and red frames. The right side offers a softer, pastel palette with delicate floral ornamentation. The watercolor allows for subtle gradations of color, giving depth to the designs. The drawing reveals the labor involved in architectural design: the careful measurements, the precise linework, and the meticulous application of color. Lachaise’s design reflects a society where aesthetic refinement was highly valued, and where the creation of beautiful spaces was seen as a mark of status. Considering the material, making, and context in which this drawing was produced provides us with a far richer understanding, as well as challenging the conventional divisions between art, design, and craft.