Design for a paneled ceiling painted with putti, birds, and floral motifs on tracing paper; mounted on wove paper 1820 - 1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created this design for a paneled ceiling with watercolor on tracing paper. The patterns of putti, birds, and floral motifs, point to the Rococo style, a popular choice for wealthy patrons in France and Europe. The Rococo was a courtly style and flourished in France during the 18th century. The aristocracy, including King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, embraced the delicate curves, pastel colors, and lighthearted subject matter of Rococo art. Motifs such as putti, birds, and flowers evoke the whimsical and carefree atmosphere of the court. Ceilings like the one in this design became stages on which to show off their wealth and refined taste. Art historians can consult design books, architectural treatises, and social histories to shed light on the cultural significance of works like this. We can begin to ask, how did this artwork function within its social and institutional context? What can it tell us about the lives and values of the people who commissioned and enjoyed it?