Partial design for painted ceiling 1820 - 1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created this design for a painted ceiling, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lachaise came of age during the late 19th century, a time when the rigid hierarchy of academic art was gradually giving way to more modern sensibilities. This partial design offers us a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the period, characterized by ornate, curving patterns set against a pale blue backdrop. The use of elaborate ornamentation speaks to the cultural elite, whose identities were often tied to displays of wealth and refinement through home decor. Consider how spaces shape us, how they can be designed to reflect and reinforce the identity and status of those who inhabit them. Lachaise's work, while seemingly decorative, invites us to consider the subtle ways in which class and privilege are woven into the very fabric of our surroundings.