Danse de Moscou 1920

Jean d’Ylen made this poster, “Danse de Moscou”, at an unknown date, using lithography. I love how the whole thing swirls with energy! Look at the way the dancer’s form is suggested through these wild brushstrokes that become the fabric, the hair, and the movement itself. The colours are lush, but it’s really about the line, this dynamic, swooping gesture that captures the ephemeral quality of a dance. It's not just a depiction of a dancer, it's the feeling of being swept up in the performance. Take a look at that red swirl at the bottom, becoming orange and yellow as it rises. It's so exuberant. I see echoes of Toulouse-Lautrec in this poster, the way he captured the spirit of the Parisian cabaret scene. But d’Ylen brings his own flair, a kind of joyful abandon. Ultimately, a piece like this is about possibilities, about what art can do to make us feel alive.