Three Parasols 1916

Jan van Brock created this lovely image, Three Parasols, using simple colors and clear lines to focus on the elegance of these ladies. It feels like each choice of colour has been considered, like an intricate recipe. I love how each figure has her own distinct character through subtle differences in colour and line. The figure in the centre, in particular, stands out. See how the artist uses white and cream to create a sense of lightness, almost as if she’s floating? The lines on her dress have a kind of energy, like a sketch that still has that sense of movement. This piece reminds me of the work of Erte, they both used a similar style of illustration and have a great eye for depicting fashion. But, unlike Erte, who really knew how to add drama, van Brock’s touch is more like a whisper than a shout, creating a world that’s beautiful, balanced, and ever so slightly dreamlike.