Young Woman, Boulevard Sebastopol (Fille, Boulevard Sebastopol) 1929

Editor: Here we have Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac’s “Young Woman, Boulevard Sebastopol” from 1929, done with ink, most likely as an etching. The sharp lines and stark contrast give it a really direct, almost confrontational feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The bold lines create a feeling of both strength and vulnerability. The young woman’s gaze is direct, yet her surroundings are undefined, almost swallowed by the white of the page. I wonder what it tells us about female identity in the late 1920s, as women started joining the workforce in larger numbers. What sort of feeling do you get from that gaze? Editor: I think it is self-assured. It's interesting you point that out – the sharp lines of the work suggest a modern attitude; still, the almost-lost background conveys this sense of… floating? Curator: Yes, I agree, “floating” is perfect to describe it. It reminds us that visual symbols are never fixed. Take the bob haircut, a powerful emblem of modernity and freedom, but in this portrait, it also carries a hint of… melancholia? Does she appear liberated or perhaps a bit lost amidst rapid social changes? What feelings does her expression stir within you? Editor: That melancholia definitely resonates. It’s a little in the eyes. So you’re saying that this “bob haircut” as a symbol, along with her clothing, can reflect the contradictions and challenges of women during this transitional period? Curator: Precisely. The power of images lies in their ability to hold multiple, sometimes contradictory meanings. De Segonzac seems to capture a specific moment in time through a modern approach, preserving an expression from the past that speaks even now. Editor: That’s amazing! I will never look at portraiture the same way. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Remember, art invites us to uncover cultural memory embedded in seemingly simple forms.