Portrait of a Chamorro Woman - Red 1934

Paul Jacoulet made this 'Portrait of a Chamorro Woman - Red', and it's a print, which means it was a multi-stage process to make. You can see the care taken with the colour, it’s so vibrant, the mix of orange, pink and red is really working. This piece is full of details, from the pattern of the cloth draped over her shoulder to the flower brooch, it's a real feast for the eyes. The colours are flat, there’s not much depth, but that's part of the charm; it’s upfront, not trying to trick you into thinking it’s something it isn’t. I love the way the red of her shawl matches the background. It's so simple but effective, like a visual echo. Jacoulet clearly spent a lot of time looking at the Ukiyo-e artists, but the colour choices feel very modern. It reminds me a little of Matisse, the way he used colour to create a mood. Art is just one big conversation! It's all about taking something from the past and making it new.