Doorgang met gordijnen c. 1895 - 1910

Curator: Today, we’re exploring "Doorgang met gordijnen," a watercolor print by Léon Laroche, likely created between 1895 and 1910. Editor: Immediately, I notice how the subdued palette gives it a rather melancholic atmosphere. There's an undeniable elegance, yet also a sense of quiet emptiness. Curator: That melancholy could stem from the academic and decorative art styles Laroche employs. There’s an emphasis on form, balance, and capturing an idealized interior, as we see here, with its opulent window dressing and perfectly symmetrical wall hangings. Editor: It makes me wonder about the social context. A piece depicting such ostentatious decor raises questions of access and privilege. Who had access to such spaces, and what message was this display of wealth intended to send? The curtains, though beautiful, feel like a barrier, literally framing the view. Curator: That’s an interesting interpretation, as it pushes against the overt presentation of an idyllic interior. Formally, notice the details, particularly in the rendering of light through the window panes versus the shadowed fabric folds of the curtains. The crisp architectural lines, are juxtaposed with the flowing softness of the drapery. It creates a really beautiful tension. Editor: Yet who were these images ultimately *for*? These design objects provided instruction on proper bourgeois taste for aspiring social climbers or perhaps those simply trying to stay relevant. While the technique is refined, its existence and intention become inherently tied to social hierarchy. Curator: Precisely! What Laroche achieves with light and color isn't just decorative; it speaks to a deeper understanding of visual aesthetics that underpin, not simply depict, a social class. Editor: Well, considering its purpose, one is almost forced to wonder about who gets framed out of this picture—whose labor paid for such extravagance? Curator: Ultimately, “Doorgang met gordijnen” prompts us to consider how technical mastery can simultaneously create both visual pleasure and reinforce societal structures. Editor: A complicated tableau of technique and inequality, I would say.