La promeneuse mélancolique ; Robe d’après-midi, de Beer 1922

George Barbier created this pochoir print, "La promeneuse mélancolique," or "The Melancholy Stroller," around 1922, depicting an afternoon dress by de Beer. The print captures a moment in the aftermath of the First World War when fashion and art were intertwined with a sense of loss and transformation. The woman's attire, while elegant, hints at the restrictions and expectations placed upon women of the era. Her melancholy suggests a silent commentary on the emotional landscapes inhabited by women during a period of social change. Barbier, through his delicate lines and muted colors, subtly questions the conventional narratives of femininity. The image evokes a complex interplay between surface appearance and the deeper, often unspoken, feelings of women navigating a world in transition. It is a poignant reflection on identity, emotion, and the silent narratives woven into the fabric of everyday life.