Gypsy dancer at the Lido 

Here we see Erte's vision of a Gypsy dancer at the Lido. Note the dancer's flamboyant costume, dominated by the fiery colors of her dress and hair, and the black lightning bolt on her chest. The lightning motif carries a powerful, primordial weight. We see it echoed across cultures, from Zeus wielding thunderbolts in ancient Greece to its representation of sudden revelation in religious iconography. The lightning bolt evokes an instant and profound transformation, a raw, untamed energy. Consider how this symbol appears in different contexts: sometimes a divine weapon, other times a symbol of enlightenment. Here, emblazoned on the dancer’s chest, the lightning might represent the disruptive, untamed spirit of the Roma. This potent emblem engages us on a visceral level, tapping into a collective memory of nature's awe-inspiring force. We should remember that these symbols resurface and evolve, taking on new meanings and emotional resonance across different times.