Curatorial Narrative Byzance by Anonymous exists at the cusp of Art Nouveau’s waning influence and the nascent Art Deco movement. The artist’s fine brushwork, which oscillates between delicate lines and broad sweeps, imbues the black-and-white composition with a tactile quality that belies its static nature. As we examine Byzance more closely, it becomes apparent that the artist has employed a restricted palette to create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The subtle gradations in value ranging from near-total obscurity to slight luminosity contribute to an overall sense of stillness, as if time itself had been suspended. When reproduced at an enlarged scale of 44×60, Byzance’s chromatic structure becomes even more pronounced. The black and white tones are stretched across the space, exerting a spatial influence that encourages the eye to meander along the delicate lines and curves. In a luxury interior environment, this woul