Two designs for the decoration of ceilings with figures in clouds 1830 - 1897

Curator: At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we’re looking at "Two designs for the decoration of ceilings with figures in clouds" by Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise, likely made between 1830 and 1897. The medium here is listed as watercolor and print. Editor: The piece whispers of airy romance. Look, you see a celestial being almost floating within one of the frames; her golden dress is stunning against the cool blue, but I'm intrigued why there are two different designs instead of one? Curator: Ah, good eye! The sheet features two separate compositions meant to fill arched ceiling spaces. We have a circular design on the left, featuring a female figure surrounded by clouds. Then there's a rectangular one on the right, featuring multiple figures in the clouds in what looks to be golden framing. The function of architectural drawing has shifted depending on who the artist is drawing for and whether they were doing these in response to commission or to get a commission. Editor: Did they specialize in art like this? They seem almost otherworldly or ethereal to me and even fairy-like! Curator: Lachaise worked primarily as a decorative painter, so he likely completed drawings such as this on commission to then reproduce on a grand scale in someone’s home or even palace. Lachaise did mostly architectural decoration as a printer during the mid to late nineteenth century in Paris. Editor: Now I'm picturing this splashed across some grand ballroom. You mentioned decorative painting; I love how it blends the material and spiritual in those types of setting, how art like this can invite conversations. You can’t look at a heavenly vision like this and NOT think of some form of idealism! Curator: It certainly provides a lovely focal point for reverie and reflection. Lachaise captures that airy essence that the eye tends to focus on when looking at decorative pieces, it would make one pause when looking up. Editor: Absolutely. Looking at it again I see there is also that dance of the ethereal figure and playful cherubs against the backdrop of neoclassical structures - really it’s breathtaking. Curator: A sentiment I happen to share wholeheartedly. Thanks for taking the time to consider Lachaise's heavenly design!