Vrouw maakt reclame voor het tijdschrift 'Paris à l'eau-forte' 1873 - 1876

Editor: This etching, likely made between 1873 and 1876 by Frédéric Regamey, is called 'Vrouw maakt reclame voor het tijdschrift 'Paris à l'eau-forte''. It depicts a woman holding a sign. I’m struck by its whimsical feel. The cross-hatching gives it a light, almost ephemeral quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, I’m so glad you picked up on that whimsical air! To me, this print is pure Parisian daydream. Look how the figure interacts with the advertisement, almost stepping out of a scene in Montmartre and into our world. Editor: Definitely. I noticed she has a cat friend nearby too! Curator: The cat’s a clever touch, isn't it? The cat makes me think of Manet... Were cats having "a moment" in the art world at this time, perhaps representing some new, Bohemian liberty? Notice how the dress almost blends into the signage to show a harmonious union of the city and art? Or could that blending just be caused by Regamey's focus on the wording? How does that strike you? Editor: It feels less an accident and more of an integration. Making me also feel the lettering becomes an intimate garment…so many potential ways to approach it! Curator: Exactly! Regamey gives us a street scene, but also leaves room to play, to fill in the narrative of Parisian culture, as much defined by business as beauty. Editor: I never considered the work from this "cultural ecosystem" lens... Curator: Well, art’s always in conversation with its time! I leave now to imagine Regamey sketching away at a cafe... and encourage all to explore new lenses too.