Design for Wall Paneling and Ceiling in Pompeiian Style, The Deepdene, Dorking, Surrey 1875 - 1879

Editor: So this is Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise's "Design for Wall Paneling and Ceiling in Pompeiian Style" from around 1875-1879. It’s a drawing and print on paper, currently at the Met. It feels very architectural and symmetrical, and even calming with its muted tones. What do you see in this piece that perhaps I’m missing? Curator: Well, first observe how the artist deliberately evokes Pompeii. Notice the stylized motifs like griffins and geometric patterns. How do these recognizable elements transport us to another time, another culture? It’s more than just historical accuracy; it’s about accessing a collective memory. Editor: Collective memory? That’s interesting! So, like a visual shorthand? Curator: Exactly! Lachaise uses these motifs almost as quotations. They remind viewers of the grandeur and sophistication associated with the Roman Empire. These forms resonate, even subconsciously, associating the new construction at The Deepdene with classical ideals. Does it trigger a personal or cultural memory for you? Editor: I suppose I’m remembering the neoclassical architecture from museums and government buildings—imposing and solid. I never thought of the griffins or geometric shapes as symbols of power, though. Curator: Consider, too, the colors: the soft blues and terracotta. These hues were popular in Pompeii, recreated through archaeological finds in the 19th century. By adopting them, Lachaise connects the domestic space with discoveries, blurring the line between art, history, and domestic life. Editor: So the choice of those colors is less about aesthetics and more about cultural association. It makes me rethink what I initially perceived as simply a "calming" palette. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. Visual symbols function this way; prompting you to actively remember and reconstruct your understanding of it, again and again.