Stoel, banken en tabouret 1885 - 1895

This page of furniture designs was produced by Léon Laroche, using pen and watercolor. These renderings demonstrate the artist's understanding of the material qualities of both wood and textile. Look closely at the textures he evokes with his pen, the way the wood grain is suggested, and the soft yielding nature of the fabric. These designs offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of early 19th-century furniture production, an era characterized by specialized labor and nascent industrialization. The Empire style, with its emphasis on classical motifs and clean lines, was well-suited to machine production. Yet, handcraftsmanship remained essential, especially in upholstery. Laroche's designs hint at the labor involved in creating these pieces, from the unseen hands that felled the trees, to the skilled upholsterers who carefully stitched the fabric. By focusing on the material and making, we gain a more complete appreciation of these furniture designs, moving beyond mere aesthetics to understand their social and economic context.