divertissements | titled tantalize.

The first painting of Isabelle Traverse’s that she sees is the demurely coloured Callisto Undressing - the very image of innocence before it has been corrupted. Claude is intrigued by it, this artwork existing only for its own sake, rejecting what the eye observes, instead depicting the innermost, reflecting it back to the onlooker himself.

Herself.

It inspires her to write.

When she finally meets the artist, Claude wants to make an impression that lingers, too. In return. What follows is a compliment, a kiss to the back of Isabelle’s hand. Conversation.

A mutual fascination with their respective states of corruption.