Sortilèges Karl Blossfeldt its colour shifting from pale

its colour shifting from pale gold at the centre toward deeper blues at the margins

Fine detail is preserved across the full range of values

yet it rewards every return

The work sits at the intersection of applied graphic art and pure expression

Sortilèges Karl Blossfeldt its colour shifting from paleSortilges meaning "spells" or "enchantments" is a quintessential example of George Barbier's Art Deco illustration at its most theatrical. A French master of early 20th century decorative arts, Barbier composed scenes of elegance and mystery: figures in elaborate costume, set against richly patterned grounds that blur the line between fashion plate and fine art. The colour palette here is characteristically jewel toned, the linework refined and