L’Arc Rouge 1914

George Barbier created “L’Arc Rouge” during the art deco movement, a time when artists were embracing modernity and the changing roles of women in society. In this striking image, Barbier plays with gender roles and power dynamics through the figures of an archer and her attendant. The tall, elegant archer, dressed in bold stripes and poised with her bow, exudes confidence and control. Meanwhile, a smaller, cherubic figure, presumably male, dutifully carries her arrows, his gaze lowered. Barbier uses fashion and costume to amplify the emotional narrative; the archer’s outfit is stylish and assertive, while the attendant’s attire appears almost ornamental. Barbier challenges traditional representations of femininity and masculinity. By depicting a woman in a position of authority and a man in a subservient role, Barbier reflects a society in transition, where women were beginning to assert themselves in new and powerful ways. “L’Arc Rouge” is a visual poem that reflects shifting societal norms, whispering tales of empowerment and subtly challenging the status quo.