Liaisons dangereuses 1934

Curator: The watercolor piece before us is titled "Liaisons dangereuses," completed by George Barbier in 1934, a striking example of Art Deco illustration. Editor: It has an air of delicate naughtiness. All pastel blues and creamy whites, it presents a frivolous Rococo scene updated for the early 20th century. The costumes and boudoir furnishings ooze lavish leisure. Curator: Barbier was a prominent figure in the Parisian art scene, particularly noted for his fashion illustrations and theatrical designs. "Liaisons dangereuses," translating to "Dangerous Liaisons," hints at the societal norms of the era, suggesting underlying tensions between social appearance and individual desires. Editor: I’m drawn to the watercolor technique here, creating the almost translucent fabric of the dresses. Look at the fine detail; he must have employed exquisite brushwork and precise layering to render these lavish textiles and powdered wigs with such clarity. Curator: The title points us to the themes of intrigue and perhaps scandalous encounters, which were indeed hot topics in literature and society. Barbier presents these figures—we see two women in an intimate embrace, the partially exposed figure hinting at the nature of these "liaisons." Editor: Absolutely. Note the cat playing with a small ball at the feet of one of the women; it adds an element of domesticated indulgence, emphasizing their access to leisurely pleasure. The way the folds of their dresses pool onto the turquoise rug really anchors them in luxury. I wonder about the material qualities of that room, too—the silkiness of the cushions, the weight of the tapestries, things like that. Curator: Barbier often incorporated such playful, erotic undercurrents, reflecting the era’s changing attitudes toward sexuality, while never losing sight of elegance. It served, undoubtedly, for the market for sophisticated erotica within elite social circles. Editor: Ultimately, it reveals something about the labor involved in staging this visual tableau, the processes through which such refined and intimate scenes became desirable and reproducible objects. Curator: It leaves one contemplating not just the dangers of love, but of appearances, of status, and of art’s role in both. Editor: It reminds us of art's constant negotiation between revealing and concealing, labor and leisure, and societal expectation and erotic fancy.