erte


There is something about the sorceress that reminds me strongly of Erte. There must be a influence somewhere!

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! You got it as well!

There must have been some influence, because both me and my mother thought of Erté when we first saw the film last night. But for me it wasn't just Karaba herself, but also the theatrical and psychedelic nature of locations like the inside of the termite mound, as I associate Erté with theatre and that early 20th century modern style. It could be just that they both influenced by Egyptian art, but if you've noticed it as well it must be more than that.

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I now believe there's also something of Aubrey Beardsley in her, probably more than Erté as I know Ocelot to be a fan of Beardsley. The evil and placid Karabas are representative of the two kinds of women in early and later Beardsley illustrations. And I recognise some aspects of the breast jewellery from depictions of Kâlî and some other Hindu deities.

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