Ceiling Design for the "Petit Salon" of the Duchess of Newcastle, Hôtel Hope 1862 - 1872

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise designed this watercolor and graphite ceiling for the "Petit Salon" of the Duchess of Newcastle at the Hôtel Hope. This design offers a glimpse into the opulent world of early 20th-century high society. The Duchess, as a woman of considerable wealth and status, occupied a unique position in a world of rigid class structures. The Hôtel Hope, a gathering place for elites, would have been a place where identities were performed and reinforced through rituals of dress, conversation, and artistic display. Lachaise’s design for the Petit Salon, blends classical motifs with delicate floral patterns, reflecting the Duchess’ refined taste. Consider how the open sky in the central oval might evoke a sense of limitlessness, contrasting with the confines of social expectations. Perhaps the Duchess found liberation within these aesthetic choices, subtly challenging traditional representations of female identity through the art that adorned her private space. The design invites us to imagine the conversations and moments of reflection that took place beneath its painted sky.