Twee hoedenkapstokken in de Lodewijk XV- en de Lodewijk XVI-stijl 1895 - 1910

This print shows two hat racks in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, by Léon Laroche. The drawing is all about line, these delicate marks that define the shape of these ornate objects. I love the way that this kind of technical drawing still holds the hand of the artist, in the subtle variation in line weight, and the delicate washes of colour that give depth and texture to the surfaces. It feels like the artist is thinking through the process of making each mark, and that makes the image feel alive, despite the formal style. Think about how the elegant curves of the legs of the hat rack in the Louis XV style, contrast with the more formal straight lines of the Louis XVI version. You can see how art is always in conversation, a back and forth across time. There is no right or wrong answer, only a continuous process of exploration.