Gaultier Inspired
![Jean Paul Gaultier, Les Vierges [Virgins] collection, "Apparitions" dress, detail of fabric. Haute couture, spring/summer 2007. © P. Stable/Jean Paul Gaultier](http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8suyj2gqY1qggdq1.jpg)
![Jean Paul Gaultier, Les Vierges [Virgins] collection, "Apparitions" dress, detail of fabric. Haute couture, spring/summer 2007. © P. Stable/Jean Paul Gaultier](http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8sv0aVhaA1qggdq1.jpg)
Can you identify all of Gaultier’s sources of inspiration for this fabulous gown? Get to the De Young Museum in San Francisco by Sunday (August 19) to see The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.
Masterpiece in Focus: Gemma Augustea
Subtle differences in light make all the difference…
The Gemma Augustea is an object of Imperial propaganda, probably owned (if not commissioned by) a member of Caesar Augustus’ family or a close friend (here we mean Octavius, or Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus). The exquisite low-relief sculpture was perhaps created after a military defeat by Germanic tribesmen around 9 A.D. Thus, presenting the emperor as a god, as we’ll see below, would have been highly significant in solidifying his authority despite being vanquished by a powerful enemy.
Let’s break down the narrative one tier at a time.
