Design for the decoration of the stairway in the Chateau d'Ognon of M. de Machy (Oise, France) 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise made this design for the decoration of a stairway with graphite, pen and brown ink, watercolor, and gouache. The visual qualities of this artwork, like the pale colours and graphic style, belie the fact that it is in fact a proposal for architectural intervention. The artist has engaged with historic ornament, like the fleur-de-lys pattern on the background wash, or the curvilinear moldings in the foreground. These elements suggest that the design is intended to evoke French aristocratic taste, which aligns with the architecture of the Chateau d’Ognon itself. But consider the amount of skill that would be required to execute the design. The graphic design would be a template for teams of carpenters and plasterers, whose labor would bring the drawing to life. In this sense, it is important to remember the unseen work that makes designs like this possible. By focusing on the processes and social context behind artworks, we can better understand their full meaning and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.