The Pearl of the Bamboo, from The Kingdom of the Pearl 

Editor: So, here we have "The Pearl of the Bamboo" from "The Kingdom of the Pearl," by Edmund Dulac. It’s watercolor, though the way he uses the medium makes it look so precise and controlled. There's a real otherworldliness to this piece; what strikes you most about it? Curator: Mmm, that otherworldly feel. For me, it's the way Dulac blends the Art Nouveau style with, say, an orientalist gaze. It feels like stepping into a dream inspired by Eastern fairytales, a concoction of imagination and exoticism, wouldn't you agree? It has this almost forbidden narrative playing out. Tell me, what is the story being conveyed in this painting for you? Editor: I get that sense of it being a dreamy fairytale, definitely. To me, it feels almost like some sort of creation myth, with those stylized figures emerging from the landscape… are you seeing connections to those early twentieth century ideas here? Curator: Absolutely! The early 20th century was a hothouse for these kinds of mythopoetic longings! This piece, while steeped in the decorative language of Art Nouveau and the period's obsession with the "Orient," feels like more than mere illustration, wouldn't you say? Editor: Yes, definitely more! Thanks so much for untangling some of that. I think I understand better why it captivated me, initially. It is more than meets the eye. Curator: It does take time to look at art and start appreciating things we never gave much thought about at first. Great perspective from you, too!