Deur en venster met gordijnen 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche's "Door and Window with Curtains" offers a glimpse into the domestic sphere. These carefully rendered designs reflect a society where the home was a stage for projecting status and taste. The drawing invites us to consider the gendered dimensions of domestic space. During this period, interior decoration was seen as a feminine pursuit, yet these spaces were also where women were often confined. Curtains, while providing privacy and beauty, also served as a barrier, delineating the boundaries of women's roles. The choice of opulent fabrics and intricate designs speaks to the economic disparities of the time, and the cultural values placed on displaying wealth and refinement. The soft, delicate colors add to this feeling, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of elegance and privilege. These meticulously designed curtains are not merely window dressing, but a reflection of the complex interplay between identity, gender, and class within the domestic sphere.