Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 140 : Un lutin 1914

This 1914 print from the Journal des Dames et des Modes portrays a figure, 'Un lutin', or a goblin, amidst a verdant field dotted with flowers. Note the fairy-like wings and garland of blooms, evoking a sense of whimsy and a connection to nature. But let us consider the goblin itself, a symbol that has journeyed through centuries. From ancient folklore, where they were mischievous spirits dwelling in the shadows, to the more benign, even endearing depictions in later fairy tales, such as Shakespeare's Puck. Here, our lutin seems to borrow from both worlds, standing on the threshold between the wild, untamed aspects of nature and the cultivated elegance of Parisian fashion. And what of the rabbit? A symbol of fertility and vulnerability, its presence here hints at a deeper, perhaps subconscious, longing for innocence amidst the pre-war anxieties. Consider how these emblems tap into primal emotions, connecting us to a shared human experience that transcends time. This is the enduring power of images: to evoke, to provoke, and to remind us of the ever-shifting dance between our past and present selves.