Twee fauteuils 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche made this print of two armchairs sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is a chromolithograph, a process that allowed for affordable color printing. The print comes from a publication called "Le Garde-Meuble", which was a journal showcasing contemporary trends in furniture design. In France at this time, the decorative arts were seen as crucial to national prestige and economic strength. Publications like "Le Garde-Meuble" helped to disseminate new styles to a wider audience of manufacturers and consumers. The armchairs themselves reflect the opulent tastes of the French upper classes, with their elaborate floral patterns, fringe, and silk cushions. They suggest a culture of leisure and refinement, far removed from the realities of working-class life. To fully understand the significance of an image like this, the art historian would consider sources like trade journals, exhibition catalogues, and census records. These resources help us connect the image to its original social and institutional context.