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.
One of a Kind Erté Original Painting "Femme Au Collant Resille"
By Erté
Located in Asheville, NC
Signed original gouache painting by Romain de Tirtoff, aka Erté. This very rare original features a woman wearing fishnet stockings and a pearl-and-lace top with black gloves and a r...
Gouache
Erte ‘French, 1892-1990’ the Trapeze
By Erté
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Erte (French, 1892-1990), The Trapeze screen print in colors, from The Theatre Suite, signed and numbered 121/300 in pencil lower margin, matted and presented in black lacquer frame....
Lacquer
‘The Bath of Psyche’ (1892) Framed Oil on Canvas
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century framed oil painting on canvas depicting ‘The Bath of Psyche’ after Sir Frederick Leighton. Marked ‘1892’, this antique oil painting by an unknown artist is a scal...
Wood, Paint
Mid Century Modern Abstract Painting by Flora Crockett (1892-1979)
By Flora Crockett
Located in Ventura, CA
Attributed to Flora Crockett (American, 1892-1979), Untitled Abstraction. Flora Crockett is a newly discovered American abstractionist whose career spanned the middle decades of th...
Canvas
One of a Kind Hand Painted Cloud Art in Wood Frame
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Original hand painted one of a kind art, ready to hang Acrylic on Canvas, in a ebony stained wood frame. Hanging hardware included 36"wide x 48" tall Painting 35"x47" weight approx 1...
Canvas, Wood
One of a Pair Stillife Oil Paintings with Birds
Located in Water Mill, NY
Decorative mural stillife oil paintings with birds in wood frame. Measures: 49".
Canvas
Jean Jacques Balitran Oil Painting, Femme au Siamoise, 1972
Located in Morristown, NJ
A luminous and atmospheric oil painting by French artist Jean Jacques Balitran (1930-2024) depicting a serene female profile cradling a Siamese cat. Executed in a restrained palette ...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Original Oil Painting of Ship
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage seascape oil painting with fishing boats. Beautifully textured oil painting depicting fishing boats resting along a rugged shoreline under a moody sky. The artist's expressiv...
Canvas
Erte Giulietta Serigraph 1990's
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The elegant figure of a woman is depicted in the centre of a simple, abstract design. The detailed design and delicate lines are beautifully expressed.
Paper
Vintage original painting of European sea front city
Located in Birmingham, AL
Stunning oil painting on canvas of a European waterfront buildings. It look like a strip in the French Rivera. Framed with ornate wide gold frame. It had fresh air color and calm fe...
Canvas
$11,900
H 26.25 in W 32.25 in D 3.75 in
Antique 19th Century American C. P. Cranch (1813-1892) Oil Painting of Venice.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century American framed oil on canvas painting of the Basilica Di Santa Maria in Venice, signed "C. P. Cranch" (1813-1892), circa 1880. Christopher Pearse Cranch was a c...
Wood, Paint
Marc Chagall Color Lithograph – Circus Trapeze Artist
By Marc Chagall
Located in Kastrup, DK
Marc Chagall (1887–1985) A colorful lithograph by Marc Chagall depicting a circus trapeze artist. Unsigned. The artwork portrays a vivid and imaginative circus scene, with a central ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$4,250
H 31 in W 25 in D 1 in
"One United Nations Indivisible, " Stunning, Original Painting for UN Poster
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking example of graphic design in the 1940s, which was moving from elegant Art Deco stylization to a looser, collage-like assemblage of overlapping images, this original painti...
Gouache
$2,600
H 33.25 in W 26 in D 1.25 in
1989 Sally Brody Purple Path Water-Based Inks Monotype Painting One-of-a-Kind
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous 1989 Sally Brody one-of-a-kind framed purple path exceptional monotype painting, water-based inks on paper. Signed and dated by the artist in the lower right. This unique pa...
Plexiglass, Cherry, Paint, Paper
Erte Manhattan Mary Ⅳ Serigraph 1980's
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
A piece believed to be a fashion illustration. a stage costume designer, is said to have had a major influence on the fashion industry.
Paper
Sold
H 16.93 in W 20.87 in D 0.79 in
Circa 1950s French Blanches Colombes Pensionnat Jeunes Filles Watercolour Erté
By Erté
Located in London, England
Circa 1950s French "Blanches Colombes Pensionnat Jeunes Filles" which translates to "White Dove Boarding School for Young Ladies" original and signed watercolour painting by Erté. The watercolour and guache painting on paper was originally a stage design which depicts two doves in a cage at the top of the painting with the name of the school written in the pink and blue ribbons above. Two young naked ladies are also enclosed in a cage with bars in front of them implying that it is how they must feel about being at boarding school. Two ornate beds...
Plastic, Paper
Signed Erte, Costume Design. Gouache on Paper, circa 1930's
By Erté
Located in Kingston, NY
Erte (Russian/French, 1892-1990). Costume design, circa 1930's. Gouache painting on paper, signed lower right in pencil, with annotations/notes to verso.
Paper
Signed Erte, Costume Design, Gouache on Paper, circa 1930's
By Erté
Located in Kingston, NY
Erte (Russian/French, 1892-1990). Costume design, circa 1930's. Gouache painting on paper, signed lower right in pencil, with annotations/notes to verso.
Paper
Sold
H 17.5 in W 14.25 in D 1 in
Signed Erte, Original Watercolor, Gouache & Ink Costume Design, circa 1922
By Erté
Located in Kingston, NY
Romain Erte De Tirtoff/Erté (Russian/French, 1892-1990). Original costume design in watercolor, gouache and ink painting on paper, signed lower right, Erté. Verso having stamp for Er...
Paper
Sold
H 17.5 in W 14.25 in D 1 in
Signed Erte, Original Watercolor, Gouache & Ink Costume Design, circa 1922
By Erté
Located in Kingston, NY
Romain Erte De Tirtoff/Erté (Russian/French, 1892-1990). Original costume design in watercolor, gouache and ink painting on paper, signed lower right, Erté. Verso having stamp for Er...
Paper
Sold
H 14.75 in W 10.75 in D 0.1 in
"Sailor with Tartan Cap, " Superb Art Deco Gouache by Romain de Tirtoff 'Erté'
By Erté
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic and vivid example of Erté's masterful ability to bring elegance and grace to every human figure, this depiction of a French sailor -- complete with tartan cap, cigarette an...
Gouache
Original Art Deco Gouache on Paper by Erte in White Gold Custom Frame
By Erté
Located in New York, NY
Vibrant Art Deco gouache on paper of a theatrical costume design signed Erte at the lower right. An exquisite stylized depiction of a female figure posed in a fantastic winged evenin...
Paper
Original Art Deco Gouache on Paper by Erte in White Gold Custom Frame
By Erté
Located in New York, NY
Vibrant original Art Deco gouache on paper of a theatrical costume design signed Erte at the lower right. An exquisite stylized depiction of ...
Paper
Art DéCo Costume Project by Erté, 1926
By Erté
Located in Paris, FR
Amazing Art Deco costume project by Romain de Tirtoff known as Erté (1892-1990). Signed below right. Titled on the back "Lucky Doll, Stack of Hay" in ...