Venster en deur met gordijnen c. 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche’s print, "Venster en deur met gordijnen," presents us with an elevation of interior architecture, focusing predominantly on draped textiles, rendered in delicate watercolor. The composition, divided into two distinct window and door arrangements, immediately draws the eye to the interplay of textures and colours, most noticeably in the contrast between the soft, flowing curtains and the structured, architectural elements. The meticulous detail in the rendering of fabric—its folds, tassels, and sheen—suggests a fascination with the material qualities of interior design. Laroche creates a tension between surface and depth: the flatness of the print is juxtaposed with an illusionistic representation of three-dimensional space, challenging our perception and highlighting the constructed nature of representation itself. Note how the pale palette, dominated by greens, pinks and creams, and the precise delineation of forms contribute to a sense of order, and how this order destabilizes established meanings by engaging with perception and representation.