Ceiling and Cove Designs for Stairway, Hôtel Rothschild, Vienna 1850 - 1910

This pencil on paper drawing shows designs for the ceiling and upper walls of a stairway in the Hôtel Rothschild, Vienna. Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise carefully rendered the ornate plasterwork and decorative scheme proposed for this lavish interior. The drawing itself is a skillful demonstration, designed to impress a wealthy client. But it also hints at the tremendous amount of labor required to execute such a space, from quarrying stone to modeling plaster. Note the allegorical figures representing different continents, literally supporting the architecture. This motif underscores how European wealth depended on resources extracted from around the globe. Lachaise’s drawing gives us access to that world, reminding us that all design, however seemingly rarefied, is rooted in materiality, process, and social context. By considering these factors, we can appreciate the intricate relationship between fine art, craft, and the broader forces of labor and class.