Roses dan la nuit 1914

George Barbier made this print, Roses in the Night, and it feels as though it could have been painted. I love the flat planes of colour and the way he builds up depth with layers of pattern. The texture of the print feels soft, almost velvety, giving a feeling of nighttime. The dark blues and purples in the background are contrasted with the warmth of the yellow and pink roses. Note how Barbier used these tones to create a sense of mystery and romance. My eye is drawn to the woman in the yellow dress on the left, the way her arms are raised and her hands seem to be reaching out, as if she’s dancing or gesturing to someone off to the side. It reminds me of some of the work of Erté, a similarly theatrical artist. Ultimately, this is a reminder that art is about more than just what we see; it's about how it makes us feel.