Symphonie automnale ; Manteau, et Robe d’après-midi, de Worth 1922

"Symphonie automnale; Manteau, et Robe d’après-midi, de Worth" was made by George Barbier, and, looking at the way the artist approaches the subject, it seems as if process is at the forefront of his mind. The textures here are so evocative, aren’t they? The soft fur collar, the smooth lines of the dog, the delicate pattern on the dress – it's all about touch. Barbier is using line and color to suggest the feel of these surfaces. If you look closely at the dress, you can see how the pattern is built up with tiny marks, like he’s almost stitching the fabric together with his pen. I think the best part is the way Barbier uses color. There is a definite coolness, but it’s a soft coolness. I'm also reminded of Charles Demuth, another artist who was interested in fashion and design, but who brought a sharper, more modern edge to his work. What Barbier and Demuth share is this sense of art as an ongoing conversation – a back-and-forth between different ideas, styles, and sensibilities.