Design for Ceiling Decoration Hôtel de Pless, Berlin 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise designed this ceiling decoration for the Hôtel de Pless in Berlin, employing watercolor and graphite. Note the geometric compartments, especially the recurring star motif. This symbol, in its various forms, resonates across cultures, symbolizing divinity, guidance, and enlightenment. We find echoes of this in ancient Mesopotamian art, where the star represented celestial beings, and later in Renaissance Europe, adorning cathedrals as a symbol of spiritual aspiration. Consider how the star has transformed—from a religious icon to a decorative element, yet still retaining a subconscious pull. This design evokes a sense of order and aspiration. Such patterns engage our emotions on a primal level. The star motif, like many archetypal symbols, persists. It serves as a reminder that artistic expression is not linear but cyclical, resurfacing, and evolving, connecting us to shared cultural and psychological experiences.