Designs for a ceiling and painted panel 1830 - 1897

Editor: We’re looking at "Designs for a Ceiling and Painted Panel," created between 1830 and 1897 by Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise. It’s a watercolor and print drawing at The Met. It feels like a peek into a forgotten world of ornamentation, but I'm curious, what story do you think these designs tell? Curator: Forgotten, perhaps, but definitely echoing still in the bones of our buildings, don't you think? It makes me imagine standing in a grand salon, craning my neck. There’s a subtle geometry at play here, almost like a mathematical dance between form and function, wouldn’t you say? These were spaces meant to impress. It’s interesting that the palette is quite restrained. The colors suggest something more classical perhaps? Or is there another possibility, do you think? Editor: It feels classical in its symmetry, but maybe the limited color palette indicates a plan that wasn't fully realized or a specific stylistic choice of that time? Curator: Exactly. Imagine the light filtering through these designs; that muted palette allows shadows to create the real drama, doesn’t it? One can imagine them, can’t we, dancing on the walls as dusk descends... Tell me, are the lines sharp enough, the design rich enough to let the mind meander in the detail? Editor: I think the lines are simple enough to encourage more creativity. Curator: A truly intriguing notion! It makes one ponder how an unfinished artwork is an invitation... Thank you! I've enjoyed the thought journey this has sparked. Editor: Me too, I’ll definitely look at ornamentation with a new perspective from now on!