The Seven Deadly Sins, Avarice 

Curator: Immediately striking. It has such a contained feel. Claustrophobic, almost. All that gold… and then the bird. Editor: Today, we’re exploring an Erte print. While the specific date is not available, it is titled "The Seven Deadly Sins, Avarice." Erte, as you likely know, gained renown for his distinctive Art Deco illustrations, and was well known for fashion designs, working for publications like *Harper's Bazaar*. Curator: The Art Deco style really comes through in the simplified forms and decorative elements, particularly with how the composition has been reduced. The process of printmaking here enables that flatness to emphasize the stylized imagery and the potent social commentary. I’m also intrigued by that little jewel-like bird trapped by the grid above. Editor: It's fascinating how the figure of Avarice, surrounded by hoarded treasure, appears impoverished rather than enriched. The work prompts us to think about the role of illustrations in magazines of the time and what the piece implies about the wealthy classes. The skeletal figure contrasts starkly with all of the gold in the treasure chest, which brings forth ideas about what materials, work, and people enable a few people to concentrate wealth. Curator: Absolutely. The figure is positioned at an oblique angle from above, reinforcing this almost grotesque display of material possessions and challenging our notion of what makes for high society. Editor: Precisely. Considering the historical context of magazines and publishing allows a much deeper appreciation. Who consumed this art, and what commentary were they meant to consider? Erte provides insight into the time while producing stunning examples of print work and material practices. Curator: Considering the emphasis on consumerism present in Erte's context and the piece makes it relevant to broader discussions around cultural narratives of greed. Editor: Indeed. It invites reflection on how socio-economic structures shape and are shaped by imagery. What kind of a system puts treasure behind a grid where no one can escape?