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

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

La Prêtresse – Danseuse Sacrée
The Priestess – Sacred Dancer

Signed “Erté” (Lower Right)
Inscribed “Les Rois Des Légendes / N°3 / La Prêtresse – Danseuse Sacrée / Date : 28 Février 1919 / No. 234” (En Verso)
Gouache And Silver On Paper

This Costume Design Was Created For A 1919 Production Of Les Rois Des Légendes, A Performance That Showcased A Variety Of Legendary Kings From Throughout History. A Testament To Erté’S Pioneering Creativity And Sartorial Genius, This Elaborate Gouache Features Erté’S Interpretation Of A Sacred Dancer Or A Preistess. The Artist Renders The Ethereal Figure Cloaked In Sheer Purple And Patterned Robes. Erté Draws Heavily From Orientalist Influences To Create This Dramatic Ensemble And Also Adds A Touch Of Art Deco Glamour. While The Concentric Circles And Sheer Textiles And The Iconographic Nature Of The Priestess’ Pose And Face Certainly Invoke Orientalism, Erté Imbues The Ensemble With Deco-Era Glamour By Way Of A Dazzling Diamond And Aquamarine Headdress And Bejeweled Details Along The Chest.

Paris Witnessed A Remarkable Cultural Synthesis During The Art Deco Period, And Orientalism Played A Significant Role In Shaping The City’S Artistic And Intellectual Milieu. At The Same 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale Des Arts Décoratifs Et Industriels Modernes, Often Considered The Naissance Of The Art Deco Style, Many Artisans Prominently Showcased Eastern-Inspired Designs And A Growing Appreciation For Non-Western Aesthetics. Productions Like Les Rois Des Légendes Melded Orientalist Aesthetics Into Paris’ Artistic Output In A New Way.

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 1919

Paper: 12 3/8” High X 7 7/8″ Wide
Frame: 20 3/4″ High X 16 7/8″ Wide X 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 Of Serge Leeman, Paris
Private Collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans