Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Russian, 1892-1990
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.
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Artist: Erté
La Prêtresse by Erté
By Erté
Located in New Orleans, LA
Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)
1892-1990 Russian-French
La Prêtresse - Danseuse sacréeThe Priestess - Sacred Dancer
Signed "Erté" (lower right)
Inscribed "Les Rois des Légendes / N°3 / L...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Silver
Demi Mondaine à la Mode, 1911
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
'Demi mondaine à la Mode is a very early drawing by Erté, pencil on card, approximately 6.25 x 4.75 inches and framed in a classic, gold-tone frame. Signed i...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Paper
Ornements d'Oreilles, 1929 (#3.542)
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Possibly created as a design for one of Harper's Bazar's 1929 monthly editions, Ornements d'Oreilles (#3.542) is also similar to a design Erté considered for his 'Art to Wear' jewelr...
Category
1920s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
"Mignon" Decca design
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
This design for Decca Records likely dates to the 1950s, and perhaps specifically the 1953 recording with Janine Micheau, conducted by Georges Sébastian. Signed recto 'Erté' mid-righ...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
"Lakme" Decca design
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
This design for a Decca recording of Lakme likely dates to the 1950s, and specifically to the 1952 recording with Mado Robin, conductor Georges Sébastian, at the Théâtre National de ...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Geometry (Earrings)
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Created in the 1980s for Erté's 'Art to Wear' jewelry collection, this gouache painting on paper is signed 'Erté' on the front and titled and annotated on the back in Erté's hand - "...
Category
1980s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Clip or Broach (No.18.843)
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
This beautiful painting in gouache and gold paint was created as a brooch design in the 1980s.The artwork is signed 'Erté' on the front, and numbered and titled in Erté's hand verso ...
Category
1980s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Henri Bendel Coat, 1915
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Erté created dress and coat designs for Henri Bendel for several years, beginning in 1914. Erté's artistry had a profound effect on women's fashions, beginning with his stint at Poir...
Category
1910s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Manon (Deuxième Tableau, #7), 1920
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Erté first met the legendary beauty Ganna Walska in 1920 when she contacted him about creating designs for her nascent opera career. He created many designs over the years for her, i...
Category
1920s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Untitled Fashion Design, 1919
By Erté
Located in Greenwich, CT
Likely a dress design for Henri Bendel or B. Altman, Untitled Fashion Design from 1919 is an iconic early Erté design. Erté's stylized Villa Excelsior name stamp and the 'Composition...
Category
1910s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Le roi de Lahore by Erté
By Erté
Located in New Orleans, LA
Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)
1892-1990 | Russian-French
Le roi de Lahore
(The King of Lahore)
Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "Les Rois des Légendes / No. 11 / Le Roi de Lahore /...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Gouache
La Traviata - Dancer of the Bohemian Ballet - 3rd Act - Drawing by Erté - 1948
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
La Traviata - Dancer of the Bohemian Ballet - 3rd Act is a modern artwork realized in 1948 century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on ...
Category
1940s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
MADELEINE (ORIGINAL GOUCHE)
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Unique, one of a kind original gouache on paper from Harper's Bazar series. Hand signed lower front by Erte; titled top front with studio catalog number on verso. Sheet size 10.7...
Category
1950s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Costume Design - Gouache by Erté - 1970
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Costume Design is an original modern artwork realized in 1970s by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower m...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Elegant - Drawing by Erté - Mid-20th Century
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant is a modern artwork realized in the mid-20th Century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Stamp of the artist
Includes frame
Provenance :
- Erté p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
BEYLA (ORIGINAL GOUCHE)
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Unique, one of a kind original gouache on paper from Harper's Bazar series. Hand signed lower front by Erte; titled top front with studio catalog number on verso.
Sheet size 10.7...
Category
1950s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Costume Design - Gouache by Erté - 1970
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Costume Design is an original modern artwork realized in 1970s by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower m...
Category
20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Les Mamelles de Tirésias - Drawing by Erté - 1948
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Les Mamelles de Tirésias is an original modern artwork realized in 1948 century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower margin.
Includes frame
Provenance :
- Erté personal collection.
- Serge Leeman collection.
Erté is in charge for the costumes and sets for Les Mamelles de Tirésias. This opera bouffe in two acts by Francis Poulenc based on a play by Guillaume Apollinaire...
Category
1940s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Scaramouche - Pierrette - Drawing by Erté - 1979
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Scaramouche - Pierrette is a contemporary artwork realized in 1979 century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower margin.
Titled an...
Category
1970s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
La Traviata - Clara - 1st Act - Drawing by Erté - 1951
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
La Traviata - Clara - 1st Act is a modern artwork realized in 1951 Century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on th...
Category
1950s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Les Mamelles de Tirésias - Choriste - 2nd act - Drawing by Erté - 1947
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Les Mamelles de Tirésias - Choriste - 2nd act is a modern artwork realized in 1947 century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower mar...
Category
1940s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Tomorrow Afternoon - Drawing by Erté - 1951
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Tomorrow afternoon is a contemporary artwork realized in 1951 by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower margin.
Titled and numbered "1...
Category
1950s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
La Traviata - Rodolphe - 4th act - Drawing by Erté - 1948
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
La Traviata - Rodolphe - 4th act is a modern artwork realized in 1948 century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on...
Category
1940s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Traviata - Rodolphe - 2nd act - Drawing by Erté - 1948
By Erté
Located in Roma, IT
Traviata - Rodolphe - 2nd act is a modern artwork realized in 1948 century by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff).
Mixed colored gouache on paper.
Hand signed on the lower margin.
Titled and numbered "9893" on the back.
Includes frame
Provenance :
- Erté personal collection.
- Serge Leeman collection.
Erté is responsible for the costumes and sets for Les Mamelles de Tirésias. This opera bouffe in two acts by Francis Poulenc based on a play by Guillaume Apollinaire...
Category
1940s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
LA PRINCESSE LOINTAINE: LES FEMMES DE MILISSINDE
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Original on Gouache on paper. Hand signed on front; signed, titled, dated with dedication on verso. Stamped "Composition originale". Frame size 30.5 x 26.5 inches.
Artwork is in e...
Category
1920s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Erte (Roman de Tirtoff) Original Set Design for the Opera Dreams of Vienna
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Erte Roman de Tirtoff:1892-1990. Well listed and very important Russian artist. Most famous for his set decorations and art deco design. He has an auction result high of $45,000 for ...
Category
1940s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
l' Oeuf a Gober
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: (Romain De Tirtoff) Erte (Russian, 1892-1990)
Title: l' Oeuf a Gober
Year: 1958
Medium: Original gouache
Paper: Canson Mongolfier
Paper size: 14.2 x 10.65 inches
Signa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Therese
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: (Romain De Tirtoff) Erte (Russian, 1892-1990)
Title: Therese
Year: Circa 1935
Medium: Gouache on paper
Paper size: 14.5 x 10.5 inches
Signature: Signed lower right ...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
1910's Art Deco Erte Gouache Painting Original Hand Signed Rare French Costume
By Erté
Located in Buffalo, NY
A rare original signed Art Deco gouache on paper by Erte (Romain de Tirtoff)
.
This stunning theatrical costume design is signed Erte at the lower right.
The piece is 20 by 18 fram...
Category
1910s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Archival Paper, Pencil
La Chanteuse
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: (Romain De Tirtoff) Erte (Russian, 1892-1990)
Title: La Chanteuse
Year: 1958
Medium: Original gouache
Paper: Canson Mongolfier
Paper size: 14.15 x 10.65 inches
Framed siz...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
La Marguerite
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork is an original gouache on Canson Mongolfier paper titled "La Marguerite," by Russian/French Artist Erte, Romain De Tirtoff, 1892-1990. It is...
Category
1950s Art Nouveau Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Sylvia
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: (Romain De Tirtoff) Erte (Russian, 1892-1990)
Title: Sylvia
Year: Circa 1935
Medium: Gouache on paper
Paper size: 14.5 x 10.5 inches
Signature: Signed lower rig...
Category
1930s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
La Fonctionaire, Elle
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: (Romain De Tirtoff) Erte (Russian, 1892-1990)
Title: La Fonctionaire, Elle.
Year: February 26 1962
Medium: Original gouache
Paper: Canson Mongolfier
Size paper: 14.75 x ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Jacquette
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Erte (Romain De Tirtoff, Russian, 1892-1990)
Title: Jaquette
Year: Circa 1935
Medium: Gouache on paper
Paper size: 14.5 x 10.5 inches
Signature: Signed lower ri...
Category
1930s Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Madame De Chateaubedeau
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, titled "Madame De Chateaubedeau," circa 1935, is an original gouache by Russian/French artist Erte, Romain De Tirtoff 1892-1990. It is hand sig...
Category
20th Century Art Nouveau Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Raspoutine, Costume d'Hiver
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, titled "Raspoutine, Costume d'Hiver," is an original gouache on Canson Montgolfier paper by Russian/French artist Erte, Romain De Tirtoff, 1892-1990. It is hand signed ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
La Violette
By Erté
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, titled "La violette" 1958, is an original gouache on Canson Montgolfier paper by Russian/French artist Erte, Romain De Tirtoff, 1892-1990. It is hand signed in black in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Erté Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Erté drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Erté drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Erté in gouache, paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Art Deco style. Not every interior allows for large Erté drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jean Cocteau, Vladimir Pavlovich Nechoumoff, and David Edward Byrd . Erté drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,224 and tops out at $40,000, while the average work can sell for $4,173.
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