Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1913, No. 113 : Robe de velours (...) 1913

Jan van Brock made this print, Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, in 1913. It's got a great sense of style. I love the way the colors define the forms, especially the dress of the child in the foreground. The forms are simplified, but it's clear that it's also about an attitude, an idea of the stylish people who might wear the clothes. The colors might seem muted, but they convey a sense of elegance and restraint. What might van Brock have been thinking about when making this print? About the lifestyle of the women portrayed? As a painter, I spend a lot of time thinking about how colors relate to each other, and it seems like van Brock does, too. The juxtaposition of the green and dark pink is really interesting. Fashion of the time, and fashion illustration, was a great source for painters like Matisse. It just goes to show you that artists are always looking and learning from each other, across time and different forms of expression.