Painted Wall Decor Featuring Three Medallions 1797 - 1897

Jules Lachaise created this watercolor drawing, “Painted Wall Decor Featuring Three Medallions," probably in the United States during the early twentieth century. It depicts a brightly colored wall design reminiscent of ancient Roman interiors, and points to a fascination among artists and designers of the time with classical forms. The image creates meaning through its vivid color scheme and references to ancient Roman motifs. Note that the choice of these classical forms was not accidental: Neoclassicism in the decorative arts, architecture, and fine art was associated with a kind of rationalism that spoke to institutional authority. The classical style aligned with the aesthetic of museums, government buildings, and other centers of power, as well as wealthy patrons of the arts. Art historians can look at sources, such as architectural pattern books and design journals of the period, to better understand the social and cultural context that informed this image and its aesthetic choices. Through this we can understand how this artwork reflects the values and aspirations of a specific time and place.