Deur met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

This elegant print of a door with curtains was made by Léon Laroche using delicate strokes of watercolor. Imagine Laroche, carefully layering washes of pastel blue and pale pink, chasing the play of light and shadow on the fabric. I wonder if he was thinking about the way curtains frame a view, creating a sense of privacy and intimacy. There’s a real tenderness in the way the colors blend, creating soft edges and subtle gradations. The tiny roses patterned on the blue fabric must have taken real patience and attention to detail! Looking at it, I’m reminded of other painters who have found beauty in the everyday, like Vuillard, who used a similar palette. Maybe Laroche saw himself as part of a lineage, carrying on a tradition of quiet observation and refined taste. It’s a reminder that artists are always in conversation with one another, drawing inspiration from the past while forging their own path.