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This is a hand coloured and plate-signed pochoir from Modes et Manieres d'Aujourd'hui (1914 edition, Plate VII), which was one of the most exclusive "lifestyle" publications to emerge from Paris (1912 to 1922). Its audience was the very wealthy. Existing copies are quite rare and highly collectible because of an annual edition size of only 300. This edition was entirely illustrated by Barbier, who here presents a daring new bathing costume in a scene of coral reef seduction. Its bold sheerness must have been very titillating to the viewer at the time; tongues were surely wagging. Barbier was always ready to astonish and surprise. Each image in this famous series is on fine Japan paper, echoing the uncompromising elegance of the period.
H.10.75in. X W.7.0in.; H.27.3cm. X W.17.8cm. |
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