La Femme chic, Supplément, ca. 1912, No. 18, Pl. 184 : De cinq aà sept (...) c. 1912

Editor: This artwork, "La Femme chic," dating from around 1912, is a pen and watercolour drawing by A. Souchel. It strikes me as very poised, elegant – and perhaps a touch melancholy? All those delicate lines and shades of grey… What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, she whispers tales of a bygone era, doesn't she? For me, this isn't just a drawing; it's a sartorial snapshot, a preserved moment from the twilight of the Art Nouveau. Think of it as fashion illustration but with the spirit of Whistler. I see the whisper of fabric, the grand silhouette—that fabulous hat! The angle of the umbrella. This piece hints at the quiet dramas unfolding in a world obsessed with beauty and appearance, don’t you think? What do you make of her gaze? Editor: I notice how she avoids eye contact. Maybe a little withdrawn? Does her expression tie into that idea of drama behind appearances? Curator: Precisely! Consider the era - a dance between progress and nostalgia. There’s a hidden story within her. This lady is both a product of her time and slightly detached from it, a butterfly pinned to the board of fashion. Perhaps Souchel is hinting at the fleeting nature of beauty, the transient joy in adornment? It’s rather touching, don't you think? Editor: It’s definitely made me see more than just pretty clothes. I never considered how much could be inferred from an averted glance. Curator: And that, my dear, is the magic of art – a mirror reflecting not just what *is*, but what *could be*.