Femme nue sur un divan 

George Barbier created "Femme nue sur un divan" with watercolor, gouache and ink. The fan-like composition immediately draws us into a world of contrasts. The female nude reclines against the stark black sofa, partially draped by a sheer, polka-dotted curtain. The juxtaposition of the smooth, pale skin against the plush, dark upholstery creates an immediate visual tension. Note the stark, vertical stripes which define the background, lending a sense of order to the otherwise intimate scene. The composition seems to play with our perception of space. The fan shape flattens the perspective, turning depth into decorative surface. This echoes the Art Deco movement's fascination with flattening and stylization. The strategic use of color—the bold red accents against the muted palette—hints at the broader cultural codes of eroticism and luxury. Barbier invites us to decode this interplay of form and symbol. The artwork is a carefully constructed tableau that tantalizes and challenges our expectations.