Sisters 

Curator: This captivating mixed-media drawing is entitled "Sisters," by the artist known as Erte. Editor: I'm immediately struck by its elegant Art Deco aesthetic. The color palette is so restrained yet striking. Is it meant to evoke classical drapery, that material seems to define this drawing? Curator: Precisely. Erte masterfully combines fashion illustration with decorative arts, recalling classical imagery. The image's decorative art elements show the influence of his work within the fashion industry; these designs translated well into theater sets and costume designs too. Editor: It's interesting how the medium—mixed media, you said—plays a role here. You can almost feel the texture of the paper and pigment in areas with raised paint effects. The way the garments are rendered and seem almost inflated gives the piece such a tactile presence. And even the artist’s printing choices give way to its artifice of labor. Curator: Absolutely. And Erte created such a spectacle and allure not just for high society women, but even the department stores could leverage these accessible modes for widespread audiences and consumers during that time. Editor: This speaks to the power of illustration and accessibility. It wasn't solely about aesthetic beauty, was it? "Sisters" represents a moment in history and its connection to craftsmanship for all societal strata of consumers. Curator: Erte's "Sisters" reminds us how artists throughout history, through material choices, create new traditions and redefine social trends. Editor: Indeed, "Sisters" compels us to reconsider boundaries—art versus design, decoration versus functionality. It is more profound than the visual aesthetics; his ability to consider social, political, and artistic conventions has certainly redefined artistic history.