Statuette 1935 - 1942

Curator: What strikes you first about this piece, "Statuette," made between 1935 and 1942 by Yolande Delasser? Editor: The delicate wash of blue against the stark white gives it such a wistful, almost melancholy air. It’s an interesting application of color, evoking a sense of antique fragility. Curator: Considering its creation during the interwar years, one could interpret the figure's somber expression as embodying the anxieties of that period. The idealized female form, common in art, is subverted here, suggesting perhaps a commentary on women’s roles or the loss of innocence. Editor: Yes, the figuration does seem classical, but disrupted. There's an ambiguity in the textures and forms, it almost feels as if you can view multiple angles at once, playing with depth. Curator: Delasser likely encountered varied sociopolitical ideologies prevalent then; her choice of depicting an almost allegorical figure might represent the complex negotiation between tradition and modernity experienced by women. Editor: From a compositional standpoint, I see the base swirls upwards to inform the subjects attire. It’s fascinating how the eye travels—a semiotic unfolding, if you will. It reads like the sea becoming clouds which ultimately shape the headress. Curator: Interesting, yes. Through the lens of cultural studies, it allows one to examine how prevailing power structures and expectations shaped artistic output and social experiences in that specific historical moment. Editor: To me, this is about the elegance and beauty arising from the artist's manipulation of visual space. I keep coming back to the subtle yet decisive artistic choices. Curator: Examining the intersections between history, gender, and visual representation enriches our appreciation and promotes deeper awareness. Editor: Yes, quite fascinating. This analysis really enhances our ability to connect formally and historically to understand the full impact this “Statuette” continues to have on our visual sensibilities today.