The Zodiac, Virgo 

Editor: Here we have Erte’s “The Zodiac, Virgo,” a drawing that seems to blend Art Deco style with astrological symbolism. The colour palette is quite restricted, dominated by blues and whites. It has a rather quiet and serene feel. What can you tell us about this piece, from a historical perspective? Curator: It’s fascinating to view Erte’s work in the context of early 20th-century visual culture. Erte was highly influential in fashion illustration, theatre design and graphics, deeply influencing visual culture. Here, we have "Virgo," conceived during a time of great socio-political change, during which commercial art gained popularity. Notice the figure sewing, framed by what seems to be a window overlooking a star-filled sky? This interplay between domesticity and the cosmos connects Virgo with both earthly practicality and cosmic wonder, something magazines promoted at the time to promote a vision of cosmopolitan, cultivated readership. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn’t really considered the magazine context. It's also striking how this one simple scene has this duality. Curator: Yes. Considering Erte's influence, what does this imagery say about how public perception was being shaped at this time through commercial works of art? What kind of public role was Erte enabling or expanding? Editor: It almost makes the stars and destiny accessible to everyday life. As though fate were something you could, perhaps, embroider into existence. So his work shaped expectations about modern domesticity? Curator: Exactly! Erte, and commercial art in general, often set trends. Editor: It gives a lot of thought to chew on, next time I browse through vintage magazines! Curator: And how social and cultural values were expressed, constructed, and distributed. A fascinating connection, don't you think?