Venster met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

Léon Laroche made this print, “Venster met gordijnen,” using etching, and probably some hand-coloring. This was likely intended for the trade – an image from a pattern book, meant to show prospective clients what they could get if they had the money to spend on a fashionable interior. The soft, draping quality of the curtains suggests that they’re made of velvet or a similar fabric, which would have been quite expensive. Note, too, the elaborate trim – tassel fringe takes time and skill to produce, and would be cost-prohibitive for most people. The window itself is decorated with small painted panes of glass, an additional layer of ornament. All of this is to say that every element in this picture is labor-intensive, and speaks to a culture of elite consumption. Next time you see a print like this, consider the immense amount of work that it represents – not just the artist’s, but the many artisans who would have been involved in making these luxurious furnishings.