Twee chaise longues 1895

Editor: This print from 1895 by Léon Laroche features two chaise lounges, very decorative and elegant. The top one, labelled 'Bébé' is light blue and the bottom one, called 'Anglaise', is in a pale green. What is your take on these furniture designs? Curator: Well, at first glance, they embody the Art Nouveau obsession with merging domesticity with nature. Note the sinuous lines mimicked by the tassels, and the soft colors… these forms evoke a sense of languid grace. It’s also fascinating to consider how the terminology – “bébé” and “anglaise” – taps into a cultural understanding of identity and comfort. Why do you think those specific identities were chosen? Editor: That’s a good question… maybe it had to do with societal expectations around different types of leisure, or the way designers at the time viewed children and British culture? It feels like these chairs would signal a very particular lifestyle, almost like props. Curator: Precisely! Consider the historical moment – the rise of the bourgeoisie and their emphasis on displaying status. The chaise longue itself becomes a symbol, almost a stage for presenting oneself. Do you notice how both chaises longue use the line in a slightly different manner, one to create flow and the other to be a frame for domestic theatre? Editor: Now that you mention it, I do see that... The 'bébé' version has a softer, curvier outline while the 'anglaise' design has a sturdier frame. Curator: It highlights how everyday objects gain layers of meaning reflecting not only social classes, but psychological attitudes of the era. This simple furniture advertisement now reveals hidden scripts that informed late 19th century identities. Editor: I hadn't thought about them having that much to say! Thanks, I learned a lot about how something seemingly simple is in fact loaded with cultural meaning!