Ruhlmann’s Salon of the House of a Collector

Salon de l’Hôtel du Collectionneur

Continued from Ryan Art & Design Instagram on Proportion

It is unfortunate that color photography did not exist in 1925. It is also a somewhat unfair comparison because, as this room served as a showcase for merchandise, both of Ruhlmann and his colleagues, the actual room is filled with much more furniture than it would be if for a client. Also, I suspect the photographer slightly compressed the view vertically, in order to capture the space, floor to ceiling, in a close-up shot. I will leave you to decide whether or not you feel the finished space captures the mood and feel of Ruhlmann’s original vision.

From the famous 1925 Paris exhibition that gave Art Deco it’s name: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Photo by SiefkinDR, on Dezeen.

I am indebted to Dezeen for allowing me to use material from their site. The above image is from an article they did on Ruhlmann for the 100th anniversary of the exhibition. You can read it here. And if you are not familiar with Ruhlmann, I highly recommend it.

Portrait of Federico da Montifeltro, Duke of Urbino with this son, Guidobaldo da Montifeltro by Pedro Berruguete. c. 1480

The famous Duke was a successful condottiero — general of a mercenary army — held in high regard by many, especially various Popes, who frequently used his services. But he was also an ardent and proud Humanist. And if his studiolos (Plural. Yes. He had two such studiolos) weren’t enough to convince people of this, he also had himself depicted here, as he wanted to be seen and known, as the great military leader he was, but also reading a book, presumably of philosophy from Classical Antiquity or the like.