Fine Art M.S. Rau | Les Dragons By Erte

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

Les Dragons
(The Dragons)

Signed “Erté” (Lower Right)
Inscribed “No. 358” (En Verso)

Gouache And Gold On Paper

Erté Masterfully Designs An Opulent Costume In Gold And Black, Titled Les Dragons, For A Character In The Theatrical Production Of Mah-Jongg. This Performance Takes Its Name From The 19Th-Century Chinese Tile-Based Game Mah-Jongg, A Blend Of Skill, Strategy, And Luck That Has Achieved International Acclaim. The Costume’S Title, “Les Dragons,” Is A Direct Reference To One Of The Characters Symbolized In The Game’S Tiles. Shrouded In Intricate Attire, The Character Embodies The Quintessence Of Traditional Chinese Dragon Iconography. The Ensemble Features An Armored Body That Mimics Scales, Complemented By Flowing Fabric That Envelops The Character Like Ethereal Smoke. Elevating The Grandeur Of The Costume, The Character’S Face Is Concealed By A Formidable Dragon-Like Mask, Accentuated By A Mane Of Black And Gold Ornamentation.

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 1925

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

Provenance:
Private Collection, Paris
Delavenne &Amp; Lafarge
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

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