Très Parisien, 1926, No. 2, Pl. 13.- JONQUILLE 1926

Editor: Here we have “Très Parisien, 1926, No. 2, Pl. 13 – JONQUILLE” by G-P. Joumard, a print housed at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me first is the sheer elegance and almost dreamlike quality. It’s as if you're peering into a fashionable memory. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, yes, pure Jazz Age nostalgia, isn’t it? This piece sings of its time – the roaring twenties, the Art Deco craze. Joumard beautifully captures that sleek, modern spirit. Notice the stylized figures, the geometric patterns on the fabrics. They practically vibrate with energy. Don't you feel the pulse of Paris, of newfound freedoms? It’s more than just fashion; it’s a cultural revolution on paper! Editor: Absolutely! The almost muted colours too, though rich in their own right, give it that nostalgic air you mention. Does the jonquil flower mentioned in the title have a symbolic significance, do you think? Curator: That’s a tantalizing question! The jonquil is a type of daffodil, often associated with spring, rebirth, and affection. Perhaps Joumard uses it as a metaphor for the post-war era, a blooming of culture and society. It also mirrors the ephemeral nature of fashion itself. Do you agree or do you feel like it suggests something else? Editor: That connection makes perfect sense. The rebirth aspect hadn’t occurred to me. Thinking about the fashion, I had been focusing too much on surface appearances rather than underlying emotions. Curator: That’s the magic of art – there’s always another layer waiting to be discovered. And it's the emotional resonance that truly transcends time. Editor: Definitely. I’ll look at art deco with fresh eyes from now on! Thanks for sharing your perspective.