Twee chaise longues 1895

Léon Laroche made this print of two chaise longues, or daybeds, using etching and aquatint. The prints were intended for a publication on domestic furnishings. The French term "ameublement" encompassed not only furniture but the entire decorative scheme of a room, reflecting an increasing interest in interior design as a marker of social status. These particular designs, with their delicate colors and whimsical details, point to a culture of leisure and refinement. The emphasis on "collection simple" is interesting; it might be a way to democratize these designs by suggesting that good taste is not the sole preserve of the aristocracy. To fully understand this image, we might turn to trade journals, advertisements, and domestic inventories from the period. These can tell us more about the social meanings attached to domestic space and furnishings. Art provides a lens through which we can explore the broader cultural values of a society.