La belle dame sans merci ; Robe du soir, de Worth 1921

George Barbier made this pochoir print of a Worth evening gown and called it "La belle dame sans merci". I love to imagine the artist at work. First, he sketches out the composition. Then, he carefully applies layers of color using stencils. See how each color is distinct, yet they all work together to create this fabulous image? The bold purple and orange contrast with the woman's dark dress, drawing your eye to the overall design. It's interesting how Barbier balances the flatness of the print with the illusion of depth. The woman and her dress are in the foreground, while the stylized flowers and phoenix create a backdrop. I love how this piece captures the elegance of the Art Deco era, when fashion was seen as a form of art. The phoenix seems to be a tribute to the dress designer. And like Worth, Barbier has inspired many artists in the past and continues to do so.