Design for a ceiling painted with clouds and trellis work 1850 - 1900

Editor: So, this is "Design for a ceiling painted with clouds and trellis work" made sometime between 1850 and 1900 by Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise, housed here at the Met. Looking at this preliminary sketch, I immediately think of openness and fresh air – there's this desire to almost bring the outdoors in. What catches your eye in this design? Curator: I’m intrigued by how the geometric precision of the trellis contrasts with the free-flowing clouds. The artist seems to be exploring the tension between man-made structures and the boundless natural world. In many cultures, the sky, especially rendered with clouds, signifies the realm of the divine or the limitless potential of the human spirit. Does that resonate with you? Editor: Yes, definitely. The structure feels very earthly, while the sky... well, that evokes dreams. The trellis almost seems to be 'corraling' this feeling. Curator: Precisely. The trellis could symbolize societal structures, frameworks of order that attempt to contain or frame the ethereal and sublime. But the sky persists, breaking through with its delicate birds and limitless space. The combination of fresco, tempera and pencil would add depth. This tension between structure and boundlessness carries profound psychological weight, doesn't it? A safe, known, protected place against a world unknown, vast. Which resonates over time, I think. Editor: Absolutely. The image becomes a contemplation on how we reconcile order and freedom. Curator: Indeed, and how symbols continue to provoke and adapt with our evolving interpretations and memories. What does the painting inspire you to think about in your life and practice? Editor: This makes me wonder how I can combine structure and freedom in my own approach to art. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! I have enjoyed our time contemplating about symbolism.