Jochs Florals De Barcelona. Festes Del Cinquantenari 1908

This poster, Jochs Florals De Barcelona, was made by Ramón Casas in 1908. It's a celebration of the floral games of Barcelona, and the colors are muted, like a hazy memory. The palette is all soft creams and blues, like a faded photograph. It makes you think about the way the past feels, like it's just out of reach. I find it fascinating how Casas uses these colors to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. Look at how the blue in the flowers held by the figure draws your eye in, before you notice the crown. The texture is smooth, but you can see the strokes, like Casas wanted you to know it was made by hand. It reminds me of painters like Manet, who weren't afraid to leave their marks on the canvas. It's like they're saying, "I was here, and this is how I saw the world." This piece resonates with Bonnard’s poster designs, who also embraced simplicity. Like Bonnard, Casas invites us to appreciate the beauty of everyday life and the power of art to evoke emotion. There is something about the graphic sensibility mixed with romanticism that I admire.