Venster met gordijnen 1885 - 1895

This print, ‘Venster met gordijnen’ by Léon Laroche, shows a window draped with ornate curtains, rendered with precise detail. But it isn't just the *image* of curtains that's interesting here; it's what the image tells us about the broader world of design and production. The print is bisected: on the left, we see the curtains as they would appear in a well-appointed interior. But on the right, we see the disassembled pattern pieces, complete with measurements, seams, and trimmings. Notice the intricate detailing, especially the tassels and the careful draping. These required skilled labor, representing hours of work by someone trained in the art of tailoring and upholstery. This image invites us to consider the social context of luxury and labor. How much would these curtains have cost? Who would have been able to afford them? And what does their design say about the values of the society that produced them? By looking at this print, we can see beyond the surface of decoration and glimpse the complex relationships between materials, making, and the social world.