1989
Born Romain de Tirtoff (1892–1990) in St. Petersburg, Russia, to an aristocratic family, the artist known as Erté — a pseudonym derived from the French pronunciation of his initials — was a Renaissance man of the art and design world. He worked in graphic arts, interior design, fashion, jewelry and set design for the stage and silver screen, becoming a leader of the Art Deco style.
Moving to Paris in 1912, Erté worked as a fashion designer under couturier Paul Poiret before securing a job with Harper’s Bazaar as a cover artist. Over 22 years, Erté created more than 240 magazine covers alongside his ongoing work in fashion design.
Extending his prolific career into theater sets, costumes, prints and lithographs, Erté became one of the most famous artists of the era. His style — a combination of the nature-inspired flourishes of Art Nouveau and bold, geometric linework — directly contributed to the birth of Art Deco, earning him the nickname “the Father of Art Deco.”
After a lull of creative production in the 1940s and 1950s, Erté reentered the public eye in the 1960s, when a renewed interest in Art Deco had taken shape.
Creating colorful lithographs, bold serigraphs (silk-screen prints) and bronze sculptures, he contributed to a resurgence of the style in France and beyond. This late-life acclaim for his art led to exhibitions in museums and galleries all over the world as well as his first published monograph in 1970. That same year he was awarded the title of Chevalier du Mérite Artistique et Cultural and in 1976 was named Officier des Arts et Lettres by the French government.
Today, Erté’s works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and LACMA in Los Angeles.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of Erté art, including fine art prints, paintings and other works.
American Millionairess
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
The inspiration for this sculpture comes from Erté's original costume design entitled "Texas," for the 1917 New York stage production of "The American Millionaires." This spectacular...
Bronze
La Mystérieuse
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
La Mystérieuse was inspired by Erté’s design for a wedding gown published in Harper’s Bazar in 1923. Erté wrote, “The name comes from the effect of mystery of this exquisite outfit. The dress was designed to be in white crêpe embroidered with geometric designs in silver and adorned with snow-white ermine...
Bronze
On the Avenue
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
On the Avenue was created originally as a gouache and presents a female figure wearing a typical 1920's flapper outfit. During the 1920s, fashion for young women focused less on the ...
Bronze
Roaring Twenties
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Erté is largely credited with creating the look of the Jazz Age. The 'Roaring Twenties' is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, but also in London and P...
Bronze
Broadway's in Fashion
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Erté, considered by many as the “Father of Art Deco,” often acknowledged that his love for the theater was a great source of creativity and inspiration. He conveyed in his art a drama with which he lived his life – a dream that came from the very innermost expression of his soul. Just like theater has two faces - comedy and tragedy - Erté was a brilliant showman, as well as a quiet man who sometimes would prefer to be left alone. From a young age, he was immersed in the world of opera, ballet, and theater. When he designed costumes and sets for theatrical productions, it was a lifelong desire that he was fulfilling. “Broadway’s in Fashion” is a fitting tribute to the legendary Broadway from a man who pursued the theatrical in everything he did. In 1978, Erté was honored by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation at a gala celebration in New York entitled “Broadway’s in Fashion” for which Erté designed the poster. This led to a CBS-TV film on Erté narrated by the legendary Diana Vreeland, and an exhibition of his costume designs at the Boston Center of the Arts. This sculpture, in scarlet and black, with white gold embellishments, incorporates the elements for which Broadway is best known. Her elegant and confident posture reveals her costume, which is itself an homage to Broadway – the scarlet robe with gold tassels evokes the stage curtain as it rises to reveal the first act, the male and female dancers, energetically giving their all for each performance, and the Greek masks of comedy and tragedy...
Bronze
Motherhood
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Motherhood is based on an image originally created as a costume design for Les Idoles at the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt in 1924. Catalogue - Erté: The Last Works (Dutton, pgs. 179, 207...
Bronze
Elegance, Erté
By Erté
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Erte, Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990) Title: Elegance Year: 1982 Medium: Bronze Edition: 100/250 Numbered, 12 AP, 9 HC Size: 15 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Incised...
Bronze
"The 2 Vamps"
By Erté
Located in Warren, NJ
This is an Erte original bronze the 2 vamps signed and numbered. In excellent condition. Measures 19x18x6 inches
Bronze
ON THE AVENUE (SCULPTURE)
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture.. Incised artist signature; stamp numbered with foundry and date. Edition: Of 375. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All...
Bronze
Rigoletto, Erté
By Erté
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Erte, Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990) Title: Rigoletto Year: 1988 Medium: Bronze Edition: 145/375 Size: 19.75 x 18.13 x 5.75 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Incised wi...
Bronze
Rigoletto, Erté
By Erté
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Erte, Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990) Title: Rigoletto Year: 1988 Medium: Bronze Edition: 345/375 Numbered, 37 AP Size: 8 x 7 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Incised w...
Bronze
BELLE DE NUIT (SCULPTURE)
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Incised signature by the artist and stamp numbered with foundry and date. Additional images are available upon request. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please do not hesitat...
Bronze
