Très Parisien ,1923, No. 3: CREATION DOUCET: CAPUCINE... 1923

This fashion plate, Très Parisien, from 1923, is by an anonymous artist and was probably made with some sort of printmaking technique like pochoir with hand-colouring. The colours are muted but bright, with lots of beige and dusty pink. It gives the whole thing a kind of faded glamour. Look at the way the artist has used the lines to define the figure and the furniture – they’re so simple, but they do the job. And the little floral pattern on the wall? So charming! It’s like the artist is saying, ‘Here’s a glimpse of Parisian chic, but don’t take it too seriously.’ Especially the squiggly green line on the left; it's almost like the work is winking at us. There's something very Matisse-like about this plate, especially the graphic simplicity of the lines and shapes. Ultimately, this piece reminds me that art doesn’t always have to be so serious. Sometimes, it can just be a little bit of fun.