Au Bucheron 1923

Editor: So, this graphic work, "Au Bucheron" by Cassandre, created in 1923, I think...is stunning in its simplicity! The bold lines and colors really make it pop. I'm intrigued by how powerful the image is, even though it’s essentially an advertisement. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: It roars, doesn't it? That stylized figure, the energy, those divine rays... Cassandre's posters weren't just advertisements; they were pronouncements. Think about the period - post-war Europe, hungry for modernity, for clean lines and purpose. This image captures that striving. Does the "bucheron," the woodcutter, only chop wood? Or is he cutting away the old, clearing the way for the new? What do *you* feel he’s chopping? Editor: I never thought of it that way! The cutting away of the old… That makes a lot of sense. I was mainly thinking about the Art Deco style, and the poster aspect to sell furniture, but there's a deeper meaning behind that! Curator: The man isn’t so detailed… Perhaps to invite us to see ourselves, at work. Now I'm wondering, looking at the harsh angles of the log, whether he’s selling comfort, so to speak… Editor: That's a good question. Maybe it also sells this new vision of modernity? Curator: Possibly. Or maybe a new question to take home. An image doesn't only tell one story... I find this so very enriching! Editor: Definitely. It's incredible how much depth a single poster can have! Thank you for sharing that insightful point of view!