18th-century costume, Victoria Palace Theatre 

This costume design for the Victoria Palace Theatre was created by Erte, capturing the glamour of the 18th century through ink and gouache. The sumptuous gown and towering wig aren't just sketched; they're brought to life with precise lines and vibrant colors. Look closely, and you'll see how the materials influence the design. The opacity of gouache lends richness to the red fabric and the fan-like dress, creating a sense of volume and texture. The costume is an explicit nod to elite fashion, which consumed countless hours of labor and significant wealth. Erte made his name designing for stage and screen. His illustrations often incorporate the visual language of fashion plates, and the decorative flourishes of art deco, which in turn draws inspiration from the aesthetics of fine art. Erte's blurring of the lines between commercial design and fine art invites us to appreciate the skill and artistry embedded in all forms of visual culture.