Clodia accompanying her brother 1929

Curator: Here we have George Barbier’s “Clodia Accompanying Her Brother,” a watercolor created in 1929. It's a striking example of the Art Deco style, notable for its figuration and eroticism, playing with themes of intimacy. Editor: Well, hello there! It's like a vintage dream—very soft colors, quite elegant in its suggestive posture, feels intimate and somehow melancholy all at once, even with that art deco geometry going on in the fountain and fluted panels. It has got that flapper energy. Curator: Precisely. The composition presents three figures within a defined architectural space—an allusion to classical motifs filtered through a distinctly modern lens. Note how Barbier utilizes flat color fields and stark lines to emphasize form and contour, characteristic of his work during this period. The use of watercolor lends a delicate quality, contrasting with the boldness of the subject matter. Editor: True, that flatness amplifies the kind of caricatured element too. The one on the ground in the corner—the intense stare… almost unsettling given the whole serene fountain vibe. A definite power dynamic hinted at there I think, wouldn’t you say? The woman draped on her brother is giving a very coy yet confrontational stare. Curator: One might interpret the gaze as engaging with the viewer, disrupting the passive consumption of the artwork, thereby challenging traditional modes of representation within erotic art. The fountain could also be read as a classical symbol for both purity and source, its cascading water creating an interesting dynamic contrast. Editor: See, and here I thought that water might symbolize… ahem… something a little less pure given the erotic overtones you alluded to! Either way, it sure brings the eye up. The symmetry, and the subdued pastel shades soften what would otherwise be some fairly strong erotic undercurrents. Barbier knew what he was doing! Curator: Indeed. The artist deliberately creates a space for varied interpretations, complicating any singular, reductive reading of the artwork. It encourages us to engage with its formal and thematic elements simultaneously. Editor: That he does. Alrighty then, so Barbier gives us intimacy, melancholy, and perhaps a subtle subversion wrapped in delightful soft focus. A touch of naughtiness to stir the senses while activating the mind. Curator: Yes, a layered approach combining classical themes, modern aesthetics, and a subtle subversion of erotic representation making it complex, not simple and reductive. Thank you for joining me in looking deeper!