Gazette du Bon Ton, 1922 - No. 10, p. 292: Les Gorgerettes 1922

Charles Martin made this print called ‘Les Gorgerettes’ in 1922 as part of a fashion magazine using ink on paper. What's so compelling to me is the economy of line here, and the way a few minimal marks can evoke an entire sense of style. It's almost like a blueprint for elegance. Look at the confident strokes that define the figures, how the delicate touches of color, simple pink dots, add a playful yet refined accent. It's a balance between precision and spontaneity. The flat, unmodulated surface emphasizes the graphic quality of the design and focuses our attention on the shapes themselves. It reminds me a little of the bold simplicity you find in Matisse's line drawings. It demonstrates the ongoing conversation within art across time; from fashion illustration to modern painting, it’s all about capturing a feeling with as little as possible.