Number 7 

This vibrant piece, "Number 7" by Erte, embodies the spirit of its age through the visual dance of metamorphosis. Butterflies, emblems of transformation and the soul, flutter around her. Consider the butterfly’s significance; in ancient Greece, Psyche, or soul, was often depicted with butterfly wings. Now, observe how Erte merges this symbol with the modern flapper, a symbol of liberation and change. Like the soul’s journey, the butterfly here becomes a powerful allegory for the dynamic changes sweeping through society. The birds taking flight, in unison with the butterfly imagery, evoke themes of freedom and aspiration—desires deeply embedded in our collective psyche. How does this echo through time? We see the butterfly's symbolism woven through ancient mythologies and fairytales, each time emerging with nuances tailored to the human spirit. The bird, a symbol of flight, freedom, and aspiration, is also an expression of the soul taking flight. Erte masterfully engages with these symbols, stirring a deep, subconscious resonance that is perpetually in flux.