Design for the treatment of a wall with a pattern of lattices, vines, and bamboo

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing, titled *Design for the Treatment of a Wall with a Pattern of Lattices,ines, and Bamboo*, was created by French artists Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise and Eugène-Pierre Gourdet in the second half of the th century. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Drawings and Prints—acquired through the Dodge Fund in 1967—it presents an intricate proposal for interior wall decoration. The composition weaves geometric lattices with flowing vines and slender bamboo stalks, accented by lush leaves, evoking a harmonious blend of structure and nature. In the Victorian era, such designs were highly sought after for wallpapers, panels, or textiles, reflecting the period's growing fascination with exotic motifs inspired by global trade and exploration. Bamboo, a symbol of resilience and elegance often linked to East Asian aesthetics, added a touch of the Orient to European interiors, bridging ornamental traditions with emerging tastes for organic patterns. As a preparatory drawing, this work highlights the meticulous drafting techniques of 19th-century designers, who sketched motifs to scale for production. Its preservation offers visitors a glimpse into the creative process behind lavish home décors, inviting us to imagine these patterns adorning grand salons of the Belle Époque.

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...