Très Parisien. La Mode, Le Chic, L’Elégance 1920

Curator: This watercolour illustration, created in 1920 by an anonymous artist, is titled "Très Parisien. La Mode, Le Chic, L'Élégance". Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the stylized simplicity, a graceful elongation and use of flat color that gives it such a distinct and iconic quality. Curator: Absolutely. Its title gestures toward the height of Parisian fashion. Given the "Bacchante" inscription, and the depiction of grapevines around her dress, it reads as a rather subversive image, especially considering the era's shifting social norms for women. It presents an ideal woman, maybe even a divine woman. Editor: Yes, divine. Looking at the formal composition, the elegant figure poses dynamically, offset by minimalist line work suggesting a classical pillar. This highlights a kind of constructed identity; we see artifice layered on top of historical reference, all presented with such bold assured strokes. The composition echoes art nouveau ideals, while streamlining form and silhouette. Curator: Precisely. This isn't merely a fashion plate. This illustration leverages historical and classical allusions to reflect the evolving image of women in the 1920s. It mirrors the era's flirtation with mythology as women moved further into public life, pursuing careers and autonomy outside of the home. This era aimed to reflect ideals such as pleasure, abundance and sensuality. Editor: I'd add that it showcases art's remarkable power to construct desire. Through deliberate formal choices and stylistic elements, it encapsulates an era's dreams and aspirations. And like the woman represented, it evokes strength. Curator: Thinking about art as a powerful force for imagining and reflecting societal transformations, the "Très Parisien" manages to show us how fashion intersects with liberation. Editor: A fascinating exploration of form and its intricate relationship to epoch and ambition, elegantly presented in such an assured aesthetic statement.