Design for Bedroom Doors, Hôtel de Jagan 1850 - 1900

Jules Lachaise rendered this design for bedroom doors at the Hôtel de Jagan with watercolor and graphite, presenting a fascinating interplay of motifs. Dominating the design are stylized ornaments, including ribbons, fountains, and vase-like figures that echo classical themes of abundance and elegance. Consider the recurring motif of the fountain, which appears to be a vessel overflowing with vaporous water. A symbol of life and purification, it hearkens back to ancient Roman gardens, where fountains were central to both aesthetic and social life. We see echoes of this symbol in later artworks, perhaps in a baroque fountain sculpture, where the element of water is celebrated as a display of power and vitality. The design, while seemingly decorative, speaks to the subconscious desire for harmony and order, engaging viewers on a deeply emotional level. This symbol's cyclical progression—from ancient Rome to Lachaise’s design—demonstrates how cultural memory reshapes and reinterprets symbols across time.