Très Parisien, 1923, No 8: 17.- NAÏADE. - Ce manteau de satin vert Nil... 1923

This fashion plate, Très Parisien, 1923, No 8: 17.- NAÏADE, is a lithograph, and you can really see the hand of the artist in the way the colors are layered to create the form. It's fascinating how the anonymous artist uses flat planes of color— the Nile green of the coat, the silver of the fox fur—to define the shape of the figure, playing with how our eyes complete the form. I’m drawn to the way the pink blossoms, like confetti, scatter around her, creating a sense of movement and frivolity. Then you notice the weightiness of the deep, black shadow contrasting with the soft, pastel palette. It seems to anchor the figure, giving her a sense of groundedness, even as she’s surrounded by ephemerality. The whole piece reminds me a little of Matisse's cut-outs, where simple shapes come together to create something complex and beautiful. It celebrates the idea that art isn't about perfection, but about the joy of exploration.