Interieur van een salon c. 1885 - 1895

Here is a watercolor drawing of a salon interior by Léon Laroche. Dominating the image are the curtains. They appear draped in a multitude of arches, framing doorways, windows, and even the bed. This motif of draping fabrics and archways, evoking a sense of enclosure, has a long lineage. You may recall similar features in ancient Roman domestic spaces, signifying status, and privacy. The arch in particular is a powerful symbol that can be found in sacred architecture from various cultures. Here, the motif reappears in a more intimate setting. The curtains, heavy and enveloping, evoke a sense of the womb. Their presence may subconsciously touch upon primal memories, the desire for protection, or the transition into a new stage of life. Indeed, from triumphal arches celebrating emperors to theatrical stages setting a scene, the image of the archway is a constant reminder that symbols are never truly new, but are continually reborn.