Dimensions: height 248 mm, width 191 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Ludwik Strimpl created this pochoir print, Evening Attire, for the Gazette du Bon Ton, circa 1914. The composition is structured by the geometric frame that encloses the scene, setting a stage for the elegant figures within. The artist uses a muted palette where gold and soft blues dominate, accentuating the opulence and sophistication of the attire and setting. The arrangement of figures—the dancing couple, the musician, and the seated diners—creates a sense of depth, yet the flatness of the color application maintains a stylized, graphic quality. This tension between depth and flatness, typical of early modernism, draws attention to the constructed nature of the image itself. The linear elements, particularly in the detailing of the clothing and the stringed instrument, emphasize form over realistic representation. Ultimately, the artwork captures a moment of fleeting modernity. It prompts us to consider how art can both reflect and shape perceptions of beauty, class, and cultural values.
Comments
If the price of the Gazette du Bon Ton was steep, that of the clothes pictured was exorbitant. Evening attire was especially luxurious, consisting chiefly of silk garments decorated with gold and silver thread or expensive fur. Naturally, clothes like these called for costly accessories, which a true lady wore sparingly. An outfit had to work as a whole: all of the details, from headbands to high-heeled shoes, had to fit together. And that, in turn, required money, time, care and, most importantly, bon ton (good taste).
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