Twee stoelen 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche made this print titled 'Two Chairs', which depicts furniture designs, as part of a collection showcasing single items of furniture. Considered within the context of design history, these chairs represent more than mere objects; they are artifacts imbued with cultural significance. The styles reference 'Marquise Renaissance' and 'Marquise Louis XVI', evoking a connection to an elite class and era. By reviving historical styles, Laroche reflects a desire to reconnect with a perceived golden age, even as industrialization and social change challenged traditional hierarchies. What feelings do these objects evoke for you? Do you imagine someone sitting in them? What does their presence tell you about them? These designs allow us to meditate on the relationship between design, identity, and power, asking questions about how material culture shapes and reflects societal values.