Twee fauteuils 1885 - 1895

This print by Léon Laroche presents two distinct furniture designs with meticulous detail. On the left, a shell-backed armchair in warm browns and creams. To the right, a loveseat featuring cooler greens with floral accents. The print's composition, structured by the contrast in color and form, draws our eye to the textures and shapes of the furniture. The formal qualities of each piece suggest more than just aesthetics. The armchair, with its shell motif, might evoke classical allusions, while the loveseat, with its symmetrical design and repeating floral patterns, hints at the industrial reproducibility of luxury. Semiotically, the tassels and ornate details function as signs of status and refinement. Each element, from the curve of a chair back to the pattern of upholstery, speaks to the cultural codes of domesticity and display. Laroche's attention to the surfaces, the play of light and shadow across the fabrics, makes this print a study in how design objects communicate social values and aesthetic preferences through their very form. This artwork serves as a reminder that design is not just about function; it also reflects broader cultural aspirations and power structures.