Design for the painted decoration of a ceiling with the monogram: AS

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's and Prints collection, where find this exquisite preparatory design: *Design for the Painted Decoration a Ceiling with the Mon: AS* by French artists Jules-EdmondCharles Lachaise andène-Pierre Gourdet, between 1830 and 1897. Created as a collaborative blueprint for an opulent ceiling, it centers on the elegant monogram "AS encircled by playful putti—those cherubic figures beloved in decorative arts—and intricate architectural motifs. Such designs were hallmarks of 19th-century French interior decoration, evoking the grandeur of Second Empire salons or aristocratic residences, where ceilings served as canvases for personal heraldry and whimsy. Rendered in graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor on wove paper (measuring just 10 3/8 x 7 1/16 inches), this delicate drawing showcases the precision of preparatory sketches. Graphite laid down subtle underdrawings, while fine pen lines added architectural detail and the lively motion of putti, brought to vibrant life with watercolor washes. Wove paper, smooth and versatile, was ideal for these mixed-media techniques, allowing artists to pitch grand visions to wealthy patrons. This work highlights the collaborative spirit of 19th-century design teams, blending architecture and ornamentation in a neoclassical vein. Acquired through the Dodge Fund in 1967, it offers a glimpse into the artistry behind lavish interiors, reminding us how sketches like this transformed everyday spaces into theatrical spectacles.

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...