Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1913, No. 45 : Deshabillé du matin 1913

Editor: This is "Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1913, No. 45 : Deshabillé du matin" from 1913, by Charles Martin. It seems to be an illustration or a fashion plate. I'm immediately struck by how flat and graphic it is, and the rather unusual, almost cartoonish design of the clothing. What are your observations, and what can you tell us about this piece? Curator: The linear quality is, indeed, quite prominent. Note the emphasis on outlining shapes rather than modeling forms through shading. Consider how line dictates not just the contours of the figure and costume, but also defines details within the garments themselves. How does this linearity affect your reading of the space within the image? Editor: It flattens it, definitely. Everything exists on basically one plane. The line work feels almost like it's emphasizing pattern over depth. It is very stylized. Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, observe the palette: the muted pastel shades. The restrained use of color reinforces the flatness, preventing any illusion of depth that a richer, more varied chromatic scale might introduce. Where does your eye travel and rest and how do the chosen colors contribute to that movement and focal point? Editor: I keep going back to the woman's upper body – all of those fan-like shapes and ruffles pull my attention upward, also the bird on the right! Is there a theoretical rationale for this visual choice? Curator: Indeed, there appears a focused intention of visually dividing the composition in half to achieve perfect geometrical balance within the art work. So we can see that through rigorous structural assessment that we begin to have a much greater appreciation. Editor: It’s amazing how much more there is to appreciate through a different lens! Curator: Agreed, with such systematic inspection we have opened up many avenues to examine and analyse.