Fine Art M.S. Rau | Harmonie By Erte

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

Harmonie

Signed “Erté”(Lower Right)
Inscribed “No. 4458” (En Verso)
Gouache On Paper

Erté’S Designs Extended Beyond The Realm Of Theatrical Costumes, Often Gracing The Pages Of Esteemed Publications Like Harper’S Bazaar, Where They Garnered The Admiration Of Society’S Most Discerning Fashion Connoisseurs. This Particular Gown Is A Masterful Expression Of Art Deco Elegance. The Ensemble Features A White Gown, Punctuated By Fabric In Hues Of Blue And Red That Gather At The Waist, Evoking The Imagery Of A French Flag In Motion. The Design Reveals Skin In A Selective, Sophisticated Way, Emphasizing The Model’S Collarbone And Shoulder By Artfully Gathering Draped Fabric At The Left Shoulder. A Refined White Arm Cuff And Resplendent Earrings Further Complement The Gown, Along With The Model’S Elegantly Coiffed Brunette Hair. As The Work’S Title Evening Gown Suggests, This Design Would Undoubtedly Captivate Attendees At Any Red-Carpet Event Or Gala.

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.

Painted 1938

Paper: 14 1/2” High By 10 1/2” 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:
Private Collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans