Elegant, 1990
lithograph
signed ‘Erte’ in pencil (lower right)
27.1/2 x 22.1/4 in. (70 x 56.5 cm.) (sheet size)
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Brian Sewell wrote in his eloquent catalogue essay that Erté “had neither equal nor rival; he was and remains unique”. The influence of his work as a result of the high visibility of his work in Harper’s Bazaar influenced an entire art movement that was to become known as “Art Deco.”
Romain de Tirtoff was a Russian-born French artist and designer known by the pseudonym Erté, from the French pronunciation of his initials (pronounced ɛʁ.te) He was born to a distinguished family with roots tracing back to 1548. His father served as an admiral in the Russian Fleet
The legendary career of Erte spanned nearly the entire length of his life In 1910–12, Romain moved to Paris to pursue a career as a designer living with Prince Nicolas Ouroussoff up until the prince's death in 1933
His unique talent was immediately recognized by the city’s most established couturiers. In 1915, Erte began his association with Harper’s Bazaar by designing covers of each of their magazines for the next 22 years. Throughout this period, Erte also created original costume and fashion designs for many of the era’s renowned screen actresses, including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Norma Shearer and others. In 1920 he designed the set and costumes for the film The Restless Sex starring Marion Davies and financed by William Randolph Hearst. In 1925, Louis B. Mayer brought him to Hollywood to design sets and costumes for the silent film Paris. There were many script problems, so Erté was given other assignments to keep him busy. Hence, he designed for such films as Ben-Hur, The Mystic, Time, The Comedian, and Dance Madness. His creations for the stage included extravagant designs for productions at such venues as New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the Casino de Paris and the Paris Opera, as well as for the Folies-Bergères and George White’s Scandals.
The original designs by Erte grace the permanent collections of prestigious museums throughout the world including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. A sizable collection of work by Erté can be found at Museum 1999 in Tokyo.
and many other important museums in the world. During his lifetime he was considered in Italy as one of the most important painters of this time.
Elegant, 1990
lithograph
signed ‘Erte’ in pencil (lower right)
27.1/2 x 22.1/4 in. (70 x 56.5 cm.) (sheet size)
Read More »
Brian Sewell wrote in his eloquent catalogue essay that Erté “had neither equal nor rival; he was and remains unique”. The influence of his work as a result of the high visibility of his work in Harper’s Bazaar influenced an entire art movement that was to become known as “Art Deco.”
Romain de Tirtoff was a Russian-born French artist and designer known by the pseudonym Erté, from the French pronunciation of his initials (pronounced ɛʁ.te) He was born to a distinguished family with roots tracing back to 1548. His father served as an admiral in the Russian Fleet
The legendary career of Erte spanned nearly the entire length of his life In 1910–12, Romain moved to Paris to pursue a career as a designer living with Prince Nicolas Ouroussoff up until the prince's death in 1933
His unique talent was immediately recognized by the city’s most established couturiers. In 1915, Erte began his association with Harper’s Bazaar by designing covers of each of their magazines for the next 22 years. Throughout this period, Erte also created original costume and fashion designs for many of the era’s renowned screen actresses, including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Norma Shearer and others. In 1920 he designed the set and costumes for the film The Restless Sex starring Marion Davies and financed by William Randolph Hearst. In 1925, Louis B. Mayer brought him to Hollywood to design sets and costumes for the silent film Paris. There were many script problems, so Erté was given other assignments to keep him busy. Hence, he designed for such films as Ben-Hur, The Mystic, Time, The Comedian, and Dance Madness. His creations for the stage included extravagant designs for productions at such venues as New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the Casino de Paris and the Paris Opera, as well as for the Folies-Bergères and George White’s Scandals.
The original designs by Erte grace the permanent collections of prestigious museums throughout the world including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. A sizable collection of work by Erté can be found at Museum 1999 in Tokyo.
and many other important museums in the world. During his lifetime he was considered in Italy as one of the most important painters of this time.
