Les Douze Mois de l'Année: Pluviose 1919

Marthe Romme used watercolor and ink to create this print titled "Pluviose", which is part of a series representing the months of the year. The image is a great example of the aesthetic movement known as Art Deco. It features bold lines and geometric patterns, a celebration of machine-age production. In this print, the materials and processes of printmaking are central to its meaning. Romme's choice of watercolor and ink allowed for precise lines and vibrant colors. Note the controlled application of each, and the flat, graphic quality characteristic of commercial printing at the time. The print-making process, likely a form of lithography, enabled mass production, making art accessible to a wider audience. Here we see an embrace of industrial methods, which democratized art. This work speaks to the broader social context of early 20th-century design. The emphasis on stylish design made accessible through mass production reflects the changing landscape of art and commerce. Romme blurs the lines between fine art and commercial design through her sophisticated yet replicable style.