Joie de vivre: Le Bonheur du Jour ou Les Graces à la Mode 1920

Henri Reidel’s 1920 “Joie de vivre: Le Bonheur du Jour ou Les Graces à la Mode” depicts a stylized, nude male figure adorned with a flowing black garment with wings, holding up a large, swirling horn. The figure is surrounded by various decorative elements, including ribbons, flowers, and other whimsical shapes. This design, known as Art Nouveau, was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The title, “The Joys of Life,” references the carefree, decorative style of the era. Reidel’s illustrative work is reminiscent of the work of other Art Nouveau artists, like Alphonse Mucha, who often focused on female figures and used flowing lines and organic shapes.