Venster met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

Léon Laroche’s 'Venster met gordijnen' is a rendering in blue and gold of a window display and the making of it, the draping of fabrics, is what’s on display. The rendering of the fabric has a cool opacity, a flatness, yet the artist captures the essence of folds and pleats. It's like a stage set, an interior, but also a design for one. The blue is matte, like a fresco, but the gold pops, suggesting light and shadow. See how the tasseled swag hangs just so, each ripple and curve carefully considered. Look closely at the borders, where you'll see details like floral patterns with subtle irregularities, hints of the artist's hand. This reminds me of David Hockney's set design, how simple gestures can create a world. It's a testament to the enduring power of art to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.