La Femme chic, Supplément, 1911, No. 20, Pl. 197 : Quelques idées de blouses (...) c. 1911

This fashion plate, made by A. Souchel in 1911, showcases several blouse designs, each framed by delicate roses. These roses, symbols of love and beauty, connect us to the ancient world, where they adorned goddesses of love like Aphrodite. Note how the rose motif reappears throughout art history, from Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" to later vanitas paintings reminding us of life's transient nature. Here, in Souchel’s fashion plate, the roses serve a different purpose, perhaps reflecting a collective desire for beauty amidst the burgeoning complexities of modern life. The rose in this context speaks to the human yearning for aesthetic pleasure and emotional fulfillment, subtly engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical return and adaptation of symbols reveal the intricate dance between cultural memory and the human psyche.