Two Designs for Ornamental Panels 1850 - 1900

Curator: Looking at these “Two Designs for Ornamental Panels” by Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise, dating from 1850 to 1900, one is immediately drawn to the materiality and production process. Editor: Indeed, the use of watercolor and printmaking on paper really highlights the decorative aspect, especially compared to more valued, high art mediums. I find the designs rather charming, if a bit antiquated. How would you interpret these ornamental panels? Curator: Considering the era and medium, the materiality itself challenges the traditional high/low art dichotomy. These designs weren’t destined for a gallery wall, but to potentially inform mass production, bringing art into the everyday lives and homes of a wider audience. Look closely, what do you see regarding the status of the worker? Editor: Well, considering they are designs, it's hard to really grasp the working conditions of those who may reproduce it, especially since they were probably aiming for wealthy patrons to mimic this artwork. Are you saying their labor of love or maybe mass reproductions will bring a new meaning to the artwork and impact its social context? Curator: Precisely! The act of reproducing these designs, transforming them into functional or decorative objects, is where labor, skill, and social value converge. Consider, also, the consumers. What does it say about them, choosing such ornate details during a period of significant social and industrial change? It's fascinating to ponder the material desires and class aspirations these panels evoke. Editor: I never considered the socio-economic aspect of decorative arts to this extent. It adds another layer to understanding their purpose beyond mere ornamentation. Thank you! Curator: It is essential to view such pieces not just as pretty pictures, but as tangible artifacts that reveal a society's complex relationship with art, labor, and consumption.