Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1912, No. 18 : Veste de velours (...) 1912

Fernand Siméon made this print, Journal des Dames et des Modes, in 1912, using some kind of printmaking process. It’s all about capturing a moment, a vibe, a slice of Parisian fashion, right? What strikes me is the flat application of color. Look at the woman’s dress, how the vertical stripes of her jacket are solid blocks, next to the dotted pattern of her skirt. This feels connected to the way someone might approach design, the process is about the layering of distinct elements. It's less about blending and more about the juxtaposition of these parts. I’m drawn to the way the artist captured the texture of the fabrics. The slight off-registration in the colors in the carriage makes me think of Bonnard's lithographs, where a similar kind of image is built up through layers of color, each slightly out of sync to create a lively surface. Ultimately, art is like a visual conversation, a back-and-forth of ideas and styles across time, a dialogue that's always open to new voices and perspectives.