Manteau en ratin gris-clair, le col en cuir gris brodé de laine rouge 1919

This fashion plate, of a grey coat, was made in 1919 by an anonymous artist. It’s interesting to consider how we approach artmaking like this, where there’s no expectation of ‘high art’ but a real focus on process and skill. The palette here is muted, but there are moments of high colour, like the handbag. It really pops. The colour is applied in these solid blocks, with little blending, it’s functional, graphic. Look at the line, too, it’s not trying to trick you into thinking that you’re seeing something real, it's more interested in how the forms sit together. I love the way that the line almost disappears in places, dissolving into the tones of the coat. This piece reminds me of the work of someone like Erte, although it is a little more flat, it has a different sensibility. Ultimately, art like this reveals how much art is a conversation, a back and forth across time, always open to new interpretations.