Aphrodite 

Editor: We are looking at "Aphrodite" by Erte, a drawing made using watercolors, and it's just dazzling. I’m immediately drawn to the figure’s vibrant, ornate costume and how she interacts with the birds. What's your take on the piece? Curator: It’s a stunning example of Art Deco and symbolism mingling to create a specific image of idealized femininity that permeated popular culture in the early 20th century. Look at the subject, Aphrodite; How does she perform, or reflect the expectations placed upon women in the 1920's? What do her extravagant adornments suggest? Editor: So, the luxurious details… they're not just about beauty? Curator: Not just! These works were disseminated widely, reaching a broad public through magazines and fashion plates, reflecting and shaping aspirational trends. Erte, or Romain de Tirtoff, skillfully tapped into a fascination with luxury, theatre, and exoticism during the interwar period. Consider how his work intersects with shifting socio-economic classes and consumerism during this time? Editor: That makes so much sense! Seeing it in the context of popular media gives it another layer of meaning, beyond just its aesthetic appeal. It was trying to sell me something - aspiration and fantasy. Curator: Exactly! It underscores how commercial and social forces shaped the artist's style and subject choices, and, conversely, how art impacted public imagination. It's interesting to see these connections, right? Editor: It really is. I see how this is a lot more than just a pretty picture! Thanks for broadening my perspective. Curator: My pleasure. Hopefully this helps to think critically about how museums, galleries, and other institutions present such images and reinforce the values attached to them.