Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1913, No. 124 : Manteau de Putois (...) 1913

This fashion plate by Jan van Brock, number 124 from 1913, depicts a woman in a striking coat, and it’s all about the lines, isn’t it? It’s amazing how van Brock uses color so sparingly, but to such great effect. That burst of bright yellow against the black, it’s almost vibrating off the page. And the way he’s suggested the texture of the fur, those little flicks and curves, makes you want to reach out and touch it. There’s a real sense of movement in the way the coat drapes and flows, as though she has just stepped out for a stroll. The way the artist plays with line and color reminds me a little of Matisse, especially his interest in the shapes of clothing and the female form. But unlike Matisse, van Brock isn’t abstracting or simplifying. Instead he’s focused on capturing a fleeting moment of elegance and style. Ultimately, it’s the ambiguity in the work that makes it sing.