Pompeiian Design for Paneling 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created this Pompeiian Design for Paneling with watercolor and graphite. The arrangement strikes you first: a series of framed rectangles stacked vertically, two tiers divided by a horizontal band. The colour palette is restrained, almost muted, dominated by pastel shades of cream, lilac, and faded green. These carefully delineated panels seem to echo the architectural principles of classical design: order, symmetry and proportion. The upper tier is light and airy, adorned with delicate vines and a central motif of crossed horns tied with a ribbon. This contrasts with the lower tier, where a darker lilac grounds the composition, its panels featuring stylized floral elements. In this piece, Lachaise invokes the visual language of ancient Pompeii, but through the cool filter of Neoclassicism. The regular forms, gentle colours, and balanced layout do more than just reference; they transform historical motifs into a study of surface and arrangement. It’s an intriguing blend of history and design, offering us a glimpse into how past styles are re-imagined through a modern sensibility.