Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 144 : Un Incroyable et une Cantinière 1914

This is Monogrammist BMB's "Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 144 : Un Incroyable et une Cantinière," made in 1914, and the colours, oh, they're like a whispered secret, aren't they? There’s something about how these colours sit together, like old friends gossiping. Look at the solid blues and browns. They are not trying to trick us into thinking they are real, they're just being themselves. The flatness of the colours and the bold outlines give it a playful, almost cartoonish feel. It’s not trying to be profound, but it’s saying something about style, about being seen. And the gestures! That hand raised just so, a flirty flash of calf. The work reminds me of something by Manet, someone who was also interested in the theatre of everyday life. Both of these artists have a knack for making a moment feel like a whole story. It's like they're saying, "Life is a performance, darling, so make it a good one."