Interieur van een salon c. 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche’s print, titled "Interior of a Salon," showcases an opulent room featuring archways draped with heavy curtains. The arch, a motif used since antiquity, symbolizes both a gateway and a protected space. Consider the arch not merely as an architectural element but as a symbolic threshold. We find echoes of this form in ancient Roman triumphal arches, or in the proscenium of a theatre, framing moments of transition and revelation. The arch here beckons the viewer into a realm of comfort and perhaps even sensual indulgence. Observe the languid lion, a classical symbol of power, now domesticated into a mere rug. It is reminiscent of the powerful ruler tamed by love, a motif we see recurring through centuries of art. The drapery evokes classical sculptures and paintings, where fabric often reveals and conceals. It suggests a veil between the conscious and the unconscious, inviting us to consider the hidden desires and fantasies within this luxurious space. As viewers, we're not just observing a room; we're stepping into a dream.