Design for Ceiling at Fontainebleau

Art Historical Context

Step into the grand architectural dreams of 19th-century France with *Design for Ceiling at Fontainebleau*, a delicate preparatory drawing by Jules-mond-Charles Lacha and Eugène-Pierre Gour (ca. 1850–1910). This compact work, measuring just 14 1/8 x 4 7/8 inches, captures an ornate ceiling scheme for the storied Palace of Fontaineble—a royal residence that hosted kings from Francis I to Napoleon and underwent lavish 19th-century restorations. Such designs were vital blueprints for opulent interiors, guiding artisans in crafting frescoes, stucco, and gilding that evoked Renaissance splendor amid Second Empire grandeur. Crafted in graphite and gouache, the piece showcases meticulous drafting techniques: graphite for precise lines and shading, gouache for vibrant, opaque color washes that hint at the final painted glory. These mixed media allowed architects like Lachaise and Gourdet—likely collaborators in France's booming decorative arts scene—to experiment vividly on paper before committing to monumental spaces. Though modest in scale, it embodies the era's passion for historicism, blending classical motifs with innovative flair. Today, this gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection offers a window into the creative process behind France's enduring architectural treasures, reminding us how a single sketch could transform a palace ceiling into a masterpiece of light and illusion.

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...