Venster met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

Léon Laroche’s ‘Venster met gordijnen’ is a print that captures a moment in time with an eye to surface and embellishment. I love how the layers of detail build a sense of depth through the patterned drapes and intricate lace. The material qualities are what make this piece sing for me. It's all about the balance between surface and depth, flat pattern and illusionistic space. Look at how the texture of the drapes contrasts with the smoothness of the window, and how the delicate filigree of the lace softens the hard lines of the architectural frame. My eye keeps returning to the floral motif climbing up the sides, the rhythm of the petals and leaves echoing the movement of the curtains. This piece feels like it's in conversation with other artists, maybe someone like Aubrey Beardsley, who shared a similar interest in line, ornamentation and the decorative arts. For me, art is about embracing ambiguity, and this print is a perfect example of how a simple image can hold so many different layers of meaning.