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Erte - Romain de TirtoffEros by Erté1919
1919
About the Item
Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)
1892-1990 Russian-French
Eros
Signed "Erté" (lower right)
Gouache and silver on paper
Eros is historically portrayed as a mischievous, winged youth armed who induces love or desire in both mortals and deities. Erté's rendition of the Greek god draws from that very mythology. Armed with quiver and bow, the boyish cherub floats above the ground in trousers formed of flowers. His multi-hued wings and vibrant tunic offers a fresh take on the classical tale. The blending of ancient Greek styles with modern fashion demonstrates the enduring influence of Classicism on Erté.
Thanks to the breadth of his culutural experiences, the Art Deco style that he came to pioneer included both Classicist and Orientalist influences, looking to both the glory of the ancient world and the allure of Eastern artistic traditions. Classicism embodied an enduring pursuit of harmony, proportion and idealized forms, drawn directly from ancient Greece and Rome. Perpetually revisited and adapted by successive generations of artists, the Art Deco movement interpreted this ancient legacy in a new way. For the tales of Hercules and Helen of Sparta reinterpreted on Parisian stages, Erté melded the iconic motifs of the ancient world with modern sensuality and style in his costuming and set design.
Russian-French visionary Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990), popularly known as Erté, began his artistic journey in the culturally rich city of St. Petersburg, where he developed an early fondness for ballet and theatrical performances. He moved to Paris in 1912 to study architecture, and quickly found his creative niche in crafting fantastical costumes for the city's bustling nightlife. Erté's expertise, refined under the guidance of the famed Paul Poiret, captured the attention ofHarper's Bazaar, marking the beginning of a significant partnership that spanned from 1915 to 1936. The artist also designed sets for notable cinematic masterpieces including Ben Hur and La Bohème, and created sets and costumes for cabarets, operas and other performances at the Folies-Bergères, Bal Tabarin, the Théâtre du Bataclan and Le Casino de Paris. Erté was a trailblazer whose colorful creations shaped the groundbreaking Art Deco era more than any other, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art and design. His artworks reside in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Painted 1919
Paper: 12" high x 8 7/8" wide
Frame: 19 1/8" high x 16" wide x 5/8" deep
Provenance:
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté and the Era of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024
- Creator:Erte - Romain de Tirtoff (1892 - 1990, Russian)
- Creation Year:1919
- Dimensions:Height: 19.125 in (48.58 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 0.625 in (1.59 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Erté, Romain de Tirtoff, (1892–1990) was a Russian-born French artist and designer who is equally famous for his elegant fashion designs and his artwork, both of which capture the art deco period in which he worked. Diversely talented, Erté was born in Saint Petersburg to a distinguished family with roots tracing back to 1548. After moving to Paris, he secured his first substantial contract with Harper's Bazaar magazine, and thus launched an illustrious career that included designing costumes and stage sets. Between 1915–1937, Erte designed over 200 covers for Harper's Bazaar, and his illustrations would also appear in such publications as Illustrated London News, Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, and Vogue. Erté flourished and was renowned in an array of fields, including fashion, jewelry, graphic arts, costume and set design for film, theater, and opera, and interior decor.
After designing apparel for the French dancer Gaby Deslys, Erté went on to design costumes, program designs, and sets which were featured in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1923, many productions of the Folies Bergère, and George White's Scandals. On Broadway, the celebrated French chanteuse Irène Bordoni wore Erté's designs. His delicate figures and sophisticated, glamorous designs are instantly recognizable, and his ideas and art still influence fashion into the 21st century.
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
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