Twee chaise longues 1895

Here we see Léon Laroche's rendering of two "Twee chaise longues" in an engraving. These designs evoke the opulent tastes of French royalty, with one labeled Louis XV and the other Louis XVI. During this era, the aristocracy's embrace of luxury items became a potent symbol of class distinction. Consider how these chaise longues were more than mere furniture; they were stages upon which the drama of social life unfolded. The act of reclining, a privilege afforded to the upper classes, speaks volumes about the relationship between the body, space, and power. The Rococo and Neoclassical styles mirrored in the designs reflect a complex interplay of tradition and innovation. Laroche’s work invites us to reflect on the legacies of excess and the intimate lives of those who once inhabited these spaces. It prompts us to think about how design both shapes and reflects our identities, and the stories we tell about ourselves.