Design for wall panels with putti and flower garlands 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise created this design for wall panels with putti and flower garlands with graphite and watercolor. The design gives us a glimpse into the aspirations and aesthetics of early 20th-century interior design, reflecting a revival of earlier styles. Lachaise's work engages with historical decorative traditions, evident in the cherubic figures and delicate floral arrangements. These figures and ornamental details were often associated with luxury and refinement, which speaks to the desires of a particular social class. This design represents a longing for an idealized past but also raises questions about how such spaces were historically accessed and experienced, considering factors such as gender, class, and social standing. The attention to detail and the idealized forms provide a window into a world where art and life were meant to intertwine, creating environments of beauty and perhaps, exclusion.