Lafayette 

This stylized gouache and ink drawing was made by the Russian-born French artist Erte, who is associated with the Art Deco movement. The title, 'Lafayette,' immediately alerts us to a French cultural context, invoking the famous French General, who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Considered in this light, we can see how the image creates meaning through visual codes; the red, white, and blue ribbons and the rug invoke the colors of both the French and American flags. This visual association with national identity is typical of Art Deco, with its themes of patriotism, progress, and luxury. Erte spent most of his career designing for the stage and for magazines such as *Harper’s Bazaar*, and this is important context for how we understand his art. In the early 20th century, magazines played a crucial role in defining modern identity, and the stylized figure of 'Lafayette' perhaps embodies the cosmopolitanism and glamour that was so heavily promoted through them. To understand Erte and his work more fully, scholars will often consult archives of magazines and theater design, which can help us understand the social function of his chosen style. The meaning of an image is always contingent on its social and institutional context.