Fine Art M.S. Rau | Arthemis By Erte

Erté (Romain De Tirtoff)
1892-1990 | Russian-French

Arthémis

Signed “Erté” (Lower Right)
Inscribed No. 4.8 (En Verso)
Gouache On Paper

This Original Gouache From The Creative Mind Of Erté Entitled Arthémis Embodies The Art Deco Glamour For Which The Artist’S Designs Are So Beloved. Gleaming In Celestial Shades Of Blue And Dotted With Stars, This Sartorial Creation Showcases The Creative Beauty Of The Artist’S Original Costumes. Oft-Called “Father Of Art Deco,” This Dazzling Ensemble Showcases Erté’S Over-The-Top Creativity And Playful Whimsy.

Erté Designed This Costume Of Artemis, The Prominent Figure Within Greek Mythology Revered As The Goddess Of The Hunt And Childbirth. In The Artist’S Vision, The Deity Wears A Star-Studded Blue Toga, Sandals And A Yellow And Blue Cap That Simultaneously Evokes The Round Sun And A Crescent Moon. Arthémis Once Resided In The Private Collection Of Hélène Martini, The Famed Director Of The Folies Bergères And A Close Personal Friend Of Erté. In Fact, After His Death, Erté Left His Entire Art Collection To Martini

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 Of Harper’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. Often Remembered As The “Father Of Art Deco,” 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 &Amp; Albert Museum In London And The Los Angeles County Museum Of Art.

Circa 1940

Paper: 14 1/2” High By 10” Wide
Frame: 20 3/4” High By 16 7/8” Wide By 5/8″ Deep

Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté And The Era Of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 – January 3, 2024

Provenance:
Hélène Martini, Paris
Private Collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans