Très Parisien, 1923, No. 4: 14. - MAY-FLOWER. Rien n'est plus... 1923

This print called 'Très Parisien' was made in 1923, its artist is anonymous, and its medium is unknown. It’s a fashion plate, so the line is super important, crisp and precise, like a dress pattern. The colours are flat, but it’s the way those greens and the creamy white interact that gives it depth. I’m really drawn to the cascade of folds at the bottom of the skirt. They seem to hover, like they're about to float right off the page. The pattern is made with this sort of loopy line, like a playful doodle, but it’s so carefully placed, so controlled. That tension between looseness and control, that’s where the magic happens, right? It reminds me of the work of Erté. Though this is more angular, maybe a bit tougher. It’s a snapshot of a time, of a feeling, and like all great art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.