Design for the painted decoration of a coffered ceiling

Art Historical Context

This delicate design for the painted decoration of a coffered ceiling, created by French artists Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise and Eugène-Pierre Gourdet in the second half of the 19th century, offers a glimpse into the opulent interior schemes of the era. Coffered ceilings—recessed panels often found in grand salons, theaters, and public buildings—were a hallmark of Second Empire and eclectic Revival styles, where intricate paintings elevated architectural spaces into artistic spectacles. At just 7 5/16 x 9 7/8 inches, this preparatory drawing captures the meticulous planning behind such lavish decorations. Rendered on tracing paper with graphite for precise outlines, watercolor and gouache for vibrant hues, and gold paint for shimmering highlights, the work showcases advanced mixed-media techniques. Tracing paper allowed artists to overlay designs, refine compositions, or reproduce motifs efficiently, making it a practical choice for collaborative projects like this one. The use of gold evokes the grandeur of gilded interiors, blending functionality with luxury. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Dodge Fund in 1967), this piece highlights the unsung role of architectural drawings in 19th-century design. It invites us to appreciate how such sketches bridged imagination and reality, transforming everyday ceilings into celestial canvases.

About the Artist

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise|Eugène-Pierre Gourdet · 1897–1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise, born Jules Lachaise on September 2, 1836, in Paris, emerged as a prominent French painter and draughtsman specializing in lavish interior decorations during the Second Empire and beyond. Little is known about his early life and formal training, though he married Berthe Gourdet in 1866, forging a close professional partnership with her brother, the decorator Eugène-Pi...