Ganna Walska in Manon 02 

Erte made this piece, "Ganna Walska in Manon 02," using gouache and ink. The result is an image of the 1920s with a strong emphasis on the design of the costume. The gown itself seems an impossible creation. It is festooned with ribbons and garlands and birds, each element rendered with graphic precision. Erte had a long career in fashion illustration, and this theatrical design shows his intimate knowledge of dressmaking. Consider the amount of labor involved in producing such a garment. The sewing, embroidery, and assembly would have taken many hours of painstaking work by skilled hands. This image gives us a glimpse into the world of haute couture in the early 20th century, a world of luxury and excess made possible by the labor of countless unseen workers. Erte’s illustration, with its emphasis on line and form, transforms the real work of garment making into a realm of pure fantasy. By focusing on the making and context of the artwork, we can appreciate its intricate design and gain insight into the cultural values it reflects.