Venster met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

Léon Laroche gives us "Venster met gordijnen" created using an unknown medium, on an unknown date. What I love about this piece is its embrace of the purely decorative. Look at how Laroche renders the fabric; the salmon-colored curtains look almost liquid, with the highlights and shadows implying a sumptuous weightiness. There's a real commitment to the illusion, but it never quite becomes photorealism. The lines of the window behind are too insistent, reminding us of the flat surface of the paper. It's like the memory of something opulent, rather than the thing itself. This tension between surface and depth, illusion and reality, makes me think of the work of David Hockney, particularly his set designs. Both artists share a love of color and a willingness to play with perspective to create a unique visual experience. Ultimately, it’s about seeing the world in a new, unexpected way.