Tabourets en stoel 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche produced this print titled 'Tabourets en stoel' featuring furniture designs. The print offers insight into the material culture and aesthetic values during its time, reflecting the social and economic structures that influenced artistic production and consumption. The image illustrates various seating arrangements, including piano stools and a 'Marquise Louis XV' sofa. The Louis XV style is synonymous with the French aristocracy, and its presence in the print signifies the enduring appeal of aristocratic tastes and a collective memory of that aesthetic. Consider the cultural institutions, such as design schools and trade journals, that helped disseminate these styles. The print likely functioned as a resource for furniture makers and interior designers. Through periodicals, pattern books and museum collections, a range of visual and textual references that allow us to situate these objects within their broader social and historical context become apparent. By examining these resources, we can gain a richer understanding of the cultural meanings and values that were attached to furniture design in the past.