Design for the decoration of an oval ceiling with putti and garlands; with a detail of a lunette 1830 - 1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created this design for an oval ceiling decoration using graphite and watercolor. The delicate lines of graphite define the architectural framework, while the watercolor brings the scene to life. The real beauty is in the blend of technique and intention. Lachaise masterfully evokes the grandeur of Baroque ceilings, popular with the elite. But the design is also just a concept, a prototype to be executed by many hands. Think of the skilled plasterers, the meticulous painters, and the laborers who would have transformed this vision into reality. It makes you consider the value of design versus execution, where the division of labor is apparent. Lachaise may have conceived the idea, but its realization depended on the collective effort of artisans and workers, each contributing their skills to the final masterpiece. The final piece reflects not just the creativity of one artist, but the socio-economic structures of production and consumption.