Très Parisien, février 1922 : 11.- AUTEUIL 1922

This is a fashion plate called 'Très Parisien' made in February 1922. The artist is anonymous, but this doesn't really matter to me, I like that, it focuses my eye on the image as a process of art making. It’s a beautifully simple rendering of a cape and dress combination, made with a limited palette. What strikes me is the way the piece is constructed, with blocks of colour creating an effect of lightness. The artist doesn’t labour over blending or shading, instead, each mark is deliberate and the colours are flat and opaque. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Take a look at the negative space between the vertical white lines and the red dress, see how the lines sit in the foreground? The artist cleverly plays with depth, creating a push-pull effect that keeps the eye moving. This element of play is what makes the image so compelling. I'm reminded of work by Erté in this piece. Both artists demonstrate a similar understanding of form and a willingness to embrace simplicity. In a world that often equates complexity with value, this fashion plate is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, less really is more.