Design for Trompe L'Oeil Ceiling for Dining Room, Hôtel de Trévise 1850 - 1910

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created this design for a trompe l'oeil ceiling using watercolor and graphite. Lachaise's design offers us a glimpse into the decorative aspirations of early 20th-century Parisian high society. The design employs illusionistic techniques, aiming to trick the eye into perceiving depth and three-dimensionality where none exists. The Hôtel de Trévise, like many aristocratic residences of the time, sought to impress with its lavish interiors, and the dining room ceiling would have been a key element in creating an atmosphere of refined elegance. The putti, garlands of flowers, and the peacock all evoke classical and aristocratic associations. The open sky, framed by architectural details, suggests an escape from the confines of the room. To fully understand the social context of this design, scholars might delve into architectural records, period photographs, and social histories of the Parisian elite. In doing so, we can better appreciate the aspirations and values reflected in this ephemeral work of art.