Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 161 : Robe de nansouk 1914

This fashion plate, Robe de nansouk, was made in 1914, part of the Journal des Dames et des Modes in Paris. The monogrammist MFN has worked with a thin black ink, creating crisp lines that delicately trace the details of the dress and the figure beneath. It’s like they’re thinking through drawing, a process of discovery with each stroke. The surface is smooth, almost like looking at a page from a sketchbook. I find myself drawn to the way the ruffles cascade down, each fold defined with such precision. It's incredible how much volume and texture MFN manages to convey with just a few strokes. The two butterflies seem to be floating freely, yet they’re integral to the composition. The spareness of the line reminds me of Agnes Martin’s subtle grids. In both cases, the simplicity invites a deeper contemplation, and a sense of the infinite possibilities within the work. I am reminded that art is about seeing, thinking, and feeling in equal measure.