The Bride 

'The Bride' is a print made by Erte, likely a pochoir print, a refined form of stenciling, touched with gouache. The Art Deco master was famous for this kind of image, which appeared in magazines like *Harper’s Bazaar*. In ‘The Bride’, Erte made full use of the pochoir technique. Notice how he's built up the impression using multiple layers, each carefully applied by hand. The opalescent effect is remarkable, especially in the bride's headdress and cascading hair. This visual richness would have been expensive to produce, a luxury product for a luxury market. The paper itself would have been of high quality, lending the print a tactile presence. Erte’s skill was in orchestrating the labor of others, ensuring that his vision was realized to perfection. The result is a striking image of glamour, inextricably bound to the processes by which it was made. It challenges us to think about the value of both artistic vision, and the craft that brings it to life.