Water 

This is Erte’s artwork, "Water", which depicts a mermaid riding a seahorse, rendered in the artist’s signature Art Deco style. The mermaid, often a symbol of seduction and danger, is here tamed, almost domesticated, riding a regal seahorse, a creature itself imbued with mythical qualities, often linked to Poseidon, the god of the seas. In antiquity, the seahorse symbolized power and authority over the marine realm. Note how the mermaid is adorned with coral and a starfish, emphasizing her connection to the ocean. Strings of pearls link her to a trail of fish, in a non-linear cyclical pattern. The pearls, like a lifeline, bind her realm to the animal kingdom. This imagery invokes a deep-seated fascination with the sea, a realm both nurturing and perilous, mirroring our complex relationship with nature. These recurring motifs, seen across centuries, from ancient Greek pottery to modern illustrations, tap into our collective memory, evoking emotions and associations tied to the power and mystery of the sea.