Venster met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

Léon Laroche made this artwork called Venster met gordijnen, dimensions height 359 mm, width 275 mm. I love how this piece balances the familiar with the fantastical. You get a sense of a real window, but it’s draped with these utterly ornate curtains and floral decorations, a bit like peering into someone’s dream of interior design. It’s so light, so airy. The pastel colors create a calming, almost whimsical effect. I can imagine Laroche, bending over the paper, carefully detailing each flower and fold, thinking about how these elements come together to transform a simple window into something extraordinary. The curtains almost seem alive, each with its own character and story. It makes me think of other artists who play with the boundary between the everyday and the spectacular, like Erté. There’s a conversation happening across time and medium, and it’s wonderful to witness.