Patin-Bicyclette / Richard-Choubersky. ca. 1899.

Artist: PAL (Jean de Paléologue, 1860-1942)
Size: 36 1/8 x 50 5/8 in./91.7 x 128.6 cm
Condition: A-/ Unobtrusive folds.
Printer: Imp. Paul Dupont, Paris
Reference: Ref: Gold, 124; PAI-XXXI, 578
Key Words: Art Nouveau; Bicycles; Artist: Pal

Patin-Bicyclette / Richard-Choubersky. ca. 1899.
Ladies, take note: in the case of unwanted male attention, simply don a pair of newfangled getaway shoes. At least, Pal's imaginative scene would suggest as much—a hapless passerby has been knocked right off his feet at the shocking sight of this early prototype for roller blades. Over eighty years later, roller blades would become choice accessories for exercise, but in the 19th century, Pal was not concerned with workout trends; the product was merely an excuse to create another graphic vixen, which he does here with sophisticated understatement.