Sortilèges Karl Blossfeldt spent heads — arranged in

spent heads — arranged in a simple earthenware vase against a warm ochre ground

and red that pulse with restless motion

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

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

There is movement here without dynamism — a slow

Sortilèges Karl Blossfeldt spent heads — arranged inSortilges 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