Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 149 1914

H. Robert Dammy made this print, one of the Costumes Parisiens, in 1914. It's all lines, see? And I love how he uses only black and white to create such a stylish image; so chic. Look at how Dammy uses the line to define the shapes, the folds in the woman's dress, and the leaves on the tree. It’s like he’s thinking out loud, figuring it out as he goes. You can almost feel the pen moving across the page, each stroke building up the form. It's about the process, about finding the image through the act of making. The stark contrast between the black background and the white dress really makes the figure pop. It's as if she’s stepping out of the shadows, ready to attend a garden party. The basket, overflowing with fruit, adds a touch of abundance and playfulness. I wonder if Man Ray ever saw this? There's a similar boldness here, a shared sense of the graphic. In art, it's all just one big conversation anyway, isn't it? And it's up to you to join in.