Willow Tree 

Curator: Let's turn our attention to "Willow Tree," a captivating acrylic paint artwork by Erté. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: It's undeniably stylish! The elongated figure and bold geometric patterns give off such a strong art deco vibe. There’s a sort of detached elegance in its formality that reminds me a little of Russian constructivist textile design, almost propagandistic in its graphic punch! Curator: That's interesting you say that. Erté was designing covers for *Harper’s Bazaar* and stage sets for the Folies Bergère in Paris at this time. Consider that within the lens of mass culture in the Jazz Age! It would reach very different audiences than Constructivist textiles. Editor: True, but you can't deny it is equally impactful visually. I keep thinking about the surface quality of this acrylic paint: how does that choice impact the texture and luminosity here? You compare that against textile or paper goods printing of the era and you can really assess its high production value, right? Curator: The glossy medium definitely enhances the overall opulence, but look at how Erté leverages caricature techniques to enhance and elevate, but not degrade, his subjects and viewers! He created not just images but desirable ideals. He walked a fine line of art for consumption. Editor: That is true, because look closer, and you notice the subtle inconsistencies in those concentric circles—are they silk-screened? Or is this perhaps hand painted? What does this tell us about the work, the means of production and the place in this period? Is it attempting to imitate something “high” and achieve industrial status? Curator: Possibly a desire for both, and consider that as a measure of success during his time. How interesting that something mass produced became so individualized because we attribute the status to the artist first rather than its production value. It speaks volumes about our values, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. This is where Erté's Willow Tree is just more than just a fashionable sketch – it's a testament to an era defined by materiality, style, and their complex dance within the social stage! Curator: A delicate balance reflected by the artist's enduring influence, now isn't it?