Doorgang met gordijnen c. 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche’s print, *Doorgang met gordijnen*, part of a series titled *Le Garde-Meuble*, presents a vision of opulent domesticity. During the nineteenth century, interior design became intertwined with social status, reflecting both personal taste and adherence to class norms. The lavish curtains and furnishings depicted here were signs of wealth and sophistication. We might ask, what labor underwrites such an idealized vision of domestic comfort? The polished shield and weaponry motifs act as a decorative feature, gesturing towards the historical associations of power. The image of a bay view framed by heavy drapes evokes a sense of enclosure. The sea itself becomes a framed picture, tamed by the domestic sphere. The contrast between the natural world, viewed at a distance, and the opulence of the interior creates a tension. Laroche’s print invites us to consider the relationship between interior and exterior worlds, domesticity and nature, as concepts shaped by historical and social forces.