Fémina, ca. 1914, p. 173 en p. 174: 1. MANTEAU DE VELOURS BLEU (...) c. 1914

Curator: Ah, the swirling opulence of “Fémina,” a drawing from around 1914 attributed to A. Soulié. Editor: It makes me think of hushed hallways and furtive glances, like walking in on a secret society of fashionable ghosts. A little unnerving, perhaps? Curator: In what way? Look at the figures – elegant, elongated. Note how Soulié captures these decadent textiles. Observe the rich blue velvet mantle on the left, dramatically offset by the complex draping that creates dynamic folds throughout the image, focusing attention on form. Editor: Oh, I agree, structurally it’s a well-arranged composition. But those stark faces! And that curious, almost clinical way the garments are displayed… detached from life somehow, despite the figures being present. Curator: This isn't portraiture, exactly; it's documenting fashion. We need to examine this drawing as an historical record. Soulié is showcasing designs, capturing a moment when clothing reflected aspirations of artistry. Each flourish tells a tale of a changing world and artistic expression in a decorative way. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Knowing it was meant to capture a specific aesthetic shifts the perspective. I can almost imagine it inspiring something bolder. Almost futurist with its bold linearity against delicate details. Curator: Exactly. Now, focus on the color—note the boldness and use of purple, juxtaposed by gold! It speaks volumes about the designer’s vision and perhaps even their clients desires at the time it was created! Editor: It feels more like a visual prompt to dream, to imagine the stories behind the garments and how their presence impacted the perception of those who saw them in public. A slice of pure imagination on display that might just transform us along the way!