The Seven Deadly Sins, Pride 

Curator: The confident elegance is striking; such poise in a drawing. Editor: It's very Art Deco, of course. The artist known as Erte produced "The Seven Deadly Sins, Pride," though the precise date and original medium are unclear. But notice how the rendering echoes that early 20th century pursuit of affordable elegance. Curator: I see the costuming as central here. Pearls, the elaborate headdress… her slender gown cascades like spilled wine. All conspire to a very specific symbolism; Erte channels ideas of sovereignty. Editor: But it’s an interesting juxtaposition. We have an overt display of glamour, the bright stars scattered over her red robe and then the barest suggestion of supports – the diminutive, stylized heads down below… it smacks of performance. Curator: A theatrical indulgence! And there, look closely, the star that crowns her staff. That star isn't just a pretty embellishment; in numerous traditions, the star symbolizes divine guidance, or even destiny. Editor: The contrast is quite stark between the elaborately detailed foreground and the sheer flatness of the black backdrop. This speaks, I think, to the modes of production involved; perhaps prints for a wide distribution were intended. Curator: So, in a way, even the materials enhance the overall meaning of accessibility versus opulence? An almost wry comment on aspiration? Editor: Precisely. Even in its visual simplicity, Erte's drawing asks viewers to consider the many ways pride presents itself, from inner sense of worth to superficial show. The choice of materials becomes just one more ingredient within that expression. Curator: Thinking about the semiotics really helps unravel some assumptions. Before this, I had almost dismissed the piece. Editor: Agreed. A deep dive beneath its shimmering facade always reveals something interesting about cultural values around labor, creation, and their embedded symbolism.