Fine Art M.S. Rau | La Sophistiquee By Erte

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

La Sophistiquée
(The Sophisticated)

Signed “Erté” (Lower Right)
Inscribed “N°5670 / La Sophistiquée” (En Verso)
Gouache On Paper

A Dramatic Profusion Of Bold Shades Of Purple, Magenta And Red, This Original Design By Erté Certainly Embodies Its Sophisticated Title. This Gouache Entitled La Sophistiquée Showcases The Art Deco Glamour And Over-The-Top Drama For Which The Erté’S Designs Are So Beloved. Full Of Drama And Movement, This Daring Chiffon Gown Underscores The Sartorial Genius And Innate Understanding Of Form And Movement From The Oft-Called “Father Of Art Deco.”

Punctuated By A Beautiful Ombré Effect, Erté’S Creation Emphasizes The Weightless Wonder Of Its Fabric. Gathered Together At A Sparkling Triangular Pendant At The Waist, A Rainbow Of Jewel-Toned Chiffon Fans Out To Create A Daring Bodice With A Three-Dimensional Collar. The Skirt Billows Out With Sensual And Sophisticated Movement. This Chic And Unique Design Embodies The Dramatic Flair And Groundbreaking Taste For Which Erté’S Fashions Are Revered Today.

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 1941

Paper: 14” 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:
Private Collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans