Gazette du Bon Ton, 1920 - No. 1, Pl. 1: Le madras jaune / Coiffure pour le soir 1920

Charles Martin made this fashion plate called 'Le madras jaune' in 1920, and it’s all about the lines and how they play together. The strokes that make up the woman's hair and headdress, for example, aren’t about perfection. Instead, they suggest a kind of breezy, effortless style. Look at how the yellow of the headdress pops against the gray background, creating a sense of depth, almost like a stage set. The texture of the paper peeks through, reminding us that this is an object, not just an image. There's a ship at sea and palm trees behind her, but the focus is that confident yellow, and the way the black lines dance around it. The red stripe around the ship is a great touch. The whole piece has a Matisse-like feel, doesn't it? Simple lines, flat color, and a focus on design. It's a conversation between artists, across time, about how to see the world in new ways.