Seventeen Ornamental Designs for the Pless House or Chateau 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise made this sheet of ornamental designs for the Pless House or Chateau using graphite, pen, and ink. This work invites us to consider the cultural values attached to aristocratic life in France. The image is an array of seventeen sketches, each offering different design elements that recall the decorative exuberance of the French Rococo style. These motifs, with their emphasis on flowing lines and mythological figures, were used in the eighteenth century to convey a sense of luxury and refinement, reflecting the aristocratic society of the time. The inclusion of a floor plan suggests a comprehensive approach to design, where even the architecture was conceived as part of a unified aesthetic experience. To understand Lachaise’s work more fully, one could consult period architectural pattern books and social histories of the French aristocracy. By situating this drawing within the historical context, we can better appreciate its role in perpetuating certain ideals of beauty and status.