Gazette du Bon Ton, 1920 - No. 9, Pl. 65 : Les Neiges / Costume pour les sports d'hiver, en"agnella" de Rodier 1920

This print, 'Les Neiges', was made by Maurice Leroy around 1920 as part of the Gazette du Bon Ton, and it’s all about capturing a mood with just a few colours. You know, black, white, and this kind of warm, orangey brown. It's like he's making a statement about how little you need to say so much. The way Leroy uses colour blocking is so bold. Check out the skier’s outfit and the mountain backdrop. It’s all about contrast and how these simple shapes come together to create a feeling of movement. You can almost feel the crisp air and see the snow flying. Look at the confident lines that carve out the figure, so assured! It reminds me a little of some of the German Expressionists, but with a lighter touch, like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Anyway, what I love about a piece like this is that it reminds us that art isn’t about showing off technique, it's about the energy and feeling you bring to it.