Starch flowers
1913
Fernand Louis Gottlob captures a cheeky slice of Belle Époque Parisian life in this 1913 illustration. The title, 'Fleurs d’amidon' (Starch Flowers), is actually a clever slang term from the era referring to romantic relationships between women, particularly laundry workers. We see two young women sharing intimate moments—one carrying a heavy sack while the other whispers close by—hinting at a secret romance amidst the daily grind. Gottlob was famous for his playful sketches that celebrated the hidden, often erotic lives of women in turn-of-the-century France.
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