Fine Art M.S. Rau | Bijoux Lumineux By Erte

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

Bijoux Lumineux
(Luminous Jewels)

Inscribed Inscribed “Inscribed “No. 18.624 / Musidora / Bijoux Lumineux”(En Verso)

This Remarkable Work Titled Bijoux Lumineux, Or (Luminous Jewels), Was Created As Part Of The Costume Designs For Roland Petit’S 1979 Ballet, Parisiana, Starring His Wife, Zizi Jeanmarie. In The Annals Of 20Th-Century Dance, Petit And Jeanmaire Emerge As Luminaries Who Indelibly Shaped The Landscape. This Artistic Partnership Not Only Influenced The Trajectory Of Contemporary Ballet, But Also Cast Them As Pivotal Figures Of The Parisian Artistic Zeitgeist.

A Vivid Snapshot Of Their Collaboration Is Captured In This Gouache Artwork Showcasing Erté‘S Radiant Jewelry Designs That Adorned Jeanmaire Throughout This Groundbreaking Ballet. Against A Backdrop Of Deep Black, Three Different Jewelry Designs Radiate On Separate Renderings Of Jeanmarie’S Signature Bobbed Hair And Figure. These Orange, Teal And Purple Jewelry Pieces Exude An Art Deco Allure, Characterized By Dramatic Geometric Splendor. The Brilliance Of These Designs Is Further Magnified By The Unparalleled Artistry Of The Luminary Dancer Herself, Infusing Each Performance With A Touch Of Sheer Excellence.

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. 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.

Painted 1979

Paper: 3 1/2“ High X 10 1/2” Wide
Frame: 7 3/4“ High X 17″ Wide X 3/4″ Deep

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