First Book: Daphnis and Chloe Picking Flowers(Daphnis et Chloe rammassant des fleurs) Possibly 1937

Aristide Maillol made this print, Daphnis and Chloe Picking Flowers, as an illustration, using a simple graphic style. I imagine him wanting to go back to basics and make a simple image to tell a story. The lines are thin and evenly drawn, enclosing and defining the forms of the figures and the flora. Maillol uses what appears to be a reddish-brown ink, which gives the artwork a warm, earthy feeling, like terracotta. This simple color choice emphasizes the natural, pastoral theme. I can imagine Maillol, back then, wanting to express something pure about the human form and its relationship to nature. The choice of Daphnis and Chloe, these mythological figures, brings a sense of timelessness. There’s a feeling of nostalgia, a longing for a more idyllic, harmonious existence. It’s like he’s saying, "Let’s get back to the basics, back to the earth." Artists are always talking to each other, across time, taking inspiration, adding their own spin. It's an ongoing exchange! And that conversation keeps evolving, as each artist brings their unique experiences.