Design for ceramic tile decoration of a bathroom in "Pompeian" manner (possibly for Deepdene, Dorking, Surrey) 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise made this design for ceramic tile decoration of a bathroom with graphite and watercolor. This piece evokes the opulent style of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The rediscovery of Pompeii in the 18th century ignited a widespread fascination with classical antiquity in Europe. This design shows how that interest translated into interior decor. The intricate floral motifs, symmetrical arrangements, and idealized figures reflect the values of order, harmony, and beauty associated with the classical world. The design would likely have served a wealthy client keen to display their refined taste and knowledge of history. The creation and consumption of such designs depended on a network of artists, patrons, and institutions, such as design schools. By studying these networks, we can better understand the social and economic conditions that shaped artistic production in France at the turn of the century.