Emotions, Sadness 

Editor: This drawing by Erte is titled "Emotions, Sadness," and it's really striking. The figure seems almost entombed, and that heavy, cascading gray shape behind her definitely reinforces that feeling of sorrow. How would you interpret this piece? Curator: Erte, a key figure in the Art Deco movement, often explored themes of identity and emotion through stylized figures. Considering its time, how do you think this image interacts with broader cultural narratives about women and melancholy in the early 20th century? What statements might the artist have been trying to express to viewers of the time, and to us today? Editor: I hadn’t thought about that directly. The streamlined figure and the almost theatrical presentation definitely speak to Art Deco, but framing it in the context of social expectations changes my view. Is she constrained by societal expectations or finding power in expressing such vulnerable emotions? Curator: Exactly. The public role of women at the time was dramatically in flux, which gives weight to these types of personal emotions being displayed publicly. Erte used illustration and design to grapple with this changing public perception of women. Is the figure passively accepting her sadness or actively embodying it? Editor: I initially saw passivity, but I think you’re right; there’s a defiance there. The graphic nature and sharp lines feel like an assertion, not a resignation. The figure is in control. Curator: Right, think about the rise of psychoanalysis at the time. Presenting a nuanced and complex vision of internal emotional life challenged more two-dimensional stereotypes of women. I see Erte making such interventions by making this bold artistic move. Editor: I’ve never thought about sadness in that way, as a statement. Thanks for bringing the historical perspective; it really unlocks new layers. Curator: And thanks to you, this brings fresh perspective to Erte’s work.