Journal des Demoiselles, 15 Février 1903, No. 5298 : Toilettes de Mmes Forcillon (...) 1903

This fashion plate, from the Journal des Demoiselles, dated February 15, 1903, is all swirly lines and soft, pastel colors, like a dream of what women might wear. I can imagine the artist sketching away, trying to capture the flow of fabric and the tiny details of lace. It’s so different from the kind of painting I do, but I feel a kinship with the maker because both of us are trying to figure something out. The gentle blue of the dress on the right is incredible. It looks like a spring sky just after sunrise. I wonder if they chose that color to evoke a feeling of optimism and renewal. Each careful mark builds to the overall composition, and contributes to its intellectual and emotional resonance. This plate is not about capturing an exact likeness, but it expresses an aspiration, or a mood, that invites us into the world of fashion.