La Parisienne (15) 1902

Editor: Here we have Jacques Villon's "La Parisienne (15)", a 1902 print showcasing a woman in a red chair. It feels… wistful, almost dreamlike. What do you make of it? Curator: Dreamlike is a lovely word! It feels like peering through a faded memory, doesn't it? The etching process Villon used creates these delicate lines, as if capturing a fleeting impression, and, honestly, isn't that what being Parisian *is*? The pale colours… there’s almost a ghostliness. Tell me, what's the first thing that catches *your* eye? Editor: Probably the red chair – it's so vibrant compared to the rest. It’s the boldest statement piece within all those gentle tones. Curator: Absolutely! That flash of colour prevents the work from becoming too melancholic, wouldn't you agree? It brings us firmly into the world of Parisian fashion and artistry. The way her gown spills, though… like spilled milk almost! Villon walks this line between the substantial and the dissolving. Do you think this fragility affects the story the picture is telling? Editor: Definitely, the contrast between that bright chair and the woman's fading dress creates a beautiful sense of tension. It speaks to both the enduring nature of beauty and its ephemeral quality. I like that very much! Curator: Me too. What was she thinking at that precise moment? We will never know, which of course only makes you wonder more and more! It’s almost as if you are experiencing time, still in one place!