Gluttony 

This is "Gluttony" by Erte, made with gouache and ink, most likely in the 1960s. It depicts a reclining figure with a view into his stuffed stomach, his mind clouded with images of rich food, and he raises a goblet to his lips. Erte was a Russian-born French artist and designer whose elegant and opulent designs influenced the Art Deco movement. As an artist who had been involved with both theatre and fashion, Erte gained an understanding of the nature of celebrity. Here, the exaggerated style and focus on luxury reflect the Roaring Twenties culture of consumerism and hedonism, which continued to influence the perception of wealth and status long after the initial boom period. The slender, stylized figures and the lavish use of ornamentation are visual codes that evoke a sense of sophistication and exclusivity, which speak to the aspirational desires of the emerging middle classes of the 20th century. Understanding this artwork means investigating sources such as fashion magazines, theatre programs, and social commentaries from the time. This reveals the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society.