Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 163 : Veste de drap (...) 1914

Victor Lhuer made this fashion plate from the Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, using pen and ink, around 1914. The stark contrast of the black lines on the off-white paper gives the image a crisp, almost graphic quality. It reminds me that artmaking is always a dance between intention and accident, and how the simplest means can convey so much. The overall texture is smooth, with slight variations in line weight suggesting the folds and drapes of the fabric. The solid blacks of the sash and the stripes of the skirt create a visual rhythm, offset by the intricate linework of the foliage and the figure’s ornate hat. It’s in this hat that the line seems to really come alive, creating a sort of visual counterpoint to the geometric rigor of the skirt. This plate shares a certain elegant playfulness with the work of someone like Erté, though Lhuer's approach feels more grounded, less theatrical. Ultimately, the beauty here lies in the balance between representation and abstraction. It leaves us plenty of room to imagine, and that’s where art really takes flight.