Design for Trompe l'Oeil Stairway Ceiling, Hôtel Hope 1867

Editor: We're looking at Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise’s "Design for Trompe l'Oeil Stairway Ceiling, Hôtel Hope," created in 1867. The fresco, or a study for one, makes me feel like I could just float away into that sky. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: This drawing really encapsulates the artistic climate of the time. Trompe l'oeil, meaning "deceives the eye," became wildly popular in aristocratic circles. It visually expanded spaces and added a certain flair to the home. Considering its intended location in the Hotel Hope, think about the implications for those who interacted with this piece. Editor: So it's not just decorative, but performative, too? Making a statement about wealth and status? Curator: Precisely. Wealth was often displayed through artwork and architecture and helped convey cultural ideas about social hierarchy and taste. What kind of impression do you think the artist intended to convey by including the birds and lush vegetation in the frame? Editor: Perhaps that they are somehow aligned with the natural world, or at least appreciate it? The family gains status, not just from money, but culture. Curator: Exactly. And note how the architecture seamlessly blends with the natural world in this drawing, it blurs boundaries and contributes to the experience of those that view the work within the home. Editor: I never thought about it that way; I appreciate the intention behind it even more now! Curator: Understanding that historical and social context is key to appreciating this beautiful fresco. I also appreciate how art changes based on those experiencing it!