Alphabet N 

The letter N by Erte invites us to consider the layered meanings of representation and identity in art. Born Romain de Tirtoff in Russia and later working in Paris, Erte's life and work were shaped by the cultural shifts of the early 20th century. At first glance, it's easy to see the elegance of the Art Deco era with these two figures posed to construct the letter ‘N’. But let’s dig deeper into how Erte uses the female form. The figures, adorned in intricate and stylized garments, present a vision of idealized femininity, which was often seen as passive. They were not just objects of aesthetic pleasure but also active participants in the visual and cultural landscape of the time. Erte reminds us that images are never neutral; they carry within them the marks of the societies and individuals that create and consume them.