Joie de vivre: Le Bonheur du Jour ou Les Graces à la Mode 1924

Curator: This print, "Joie de vivre: Le Bonheur du Jour ou Les Graces à la Mode", by Henri Reidel, from 1924, gives us such a bright snapshot of its time. Editor: Absolutely! There's something incredibly… buoyant about it. Like capturing the fizz of champagne in visual form. Curator: Precisely! Look at how he renders the figures – those long, elegant necks, the almost geometrical arrangements of limbs and dresses. There’s a flattening of perspective, but also a real sense of depth. The watercolor has allowed for these washes of really eye catching color. Editor: Agreed. The background, in a rich burgundy, is beautifully juxtaposed to that frieze with butterflies along the balustrade; it really provides depth to the composition. And the title beneath written out so beautifully is delightful! The artist gives our eyes little pockets of interest and yet doesn’t demand our focus linger in any single location. It suggests an overall carefree attitude, of nonchalance almost. Curator: Exactly. The Art Deco influence is so evident; everything seems to be striving upwards. This pursuit towards elegance is what I find so alluring. Each figure appears completely self-aware, carefully posed almost. Editor: Yes, and you know what I find fascinating is the implied narrative. It suggests more than it shows, which engages your mind. Each gesture tells a tiny story. Like the gentleman in the tuxedo speaking intensely with the blond in the sleeveless gown with such fine details on the lower skirt. What's their story, I wonder? The viewer gets to participate. It's quite clever really. Curator: I like the sound of that. These figures, seemingly frozen in an endless loop of enjoyment – maybe that is happiness itself: participating. Thanks to Henri Reidel. Editor: Cheers to Henri Reidel and an absolutely beautiful era! I'll make sure I come dressed with my own gorgeous feathery fan the next time.