Fine Art M.S. Rau | Robe De Valse By Erte

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

Robe De Valse
Waltz Dress

Signed “Erté” (Lower Right)
Inscribed “N°5342 / Robe De Valse” (En Verso)
Gouache On Paper

This Original Gouache From The Creative Mind Of Erté Entitled Robe De Valse Embodies The Art Deco Glamour And Over-The-Top Drama For Which The Artist’S Designs Are So Beloved. Flouncy And Voluminous In A Pale Periwinkle Hue, This Dazzling Ensemble Showcases The Oft-Called Father Of Art Deco’S Sartorial Genius And Unique Understanding Of Form And Movement.

Punctuated By A Beautiful Peplum Bodice With A Bow At The Bust, This Waltz Dress Exudes The Energy Of A Deco-Era Cinderella. The Elegant Gown Also Exhibits Erté’S Innate Understanding Of Movement And Dance. The Gown’S Voluminous Skirt Is Pleated On A Bias, A Perfect Cut For Creating A Fan Effect When One Turns — As Is The Signature Move Of The Waltz. Embellished With A Dramatic Bolero Collar And A Whimsical Butterfly Headpiece, This Graceful Gown Was Sure To Turn Heads And Make A Lasting Impression On The Dance Floor.

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.

Dated 1940

Paper: 14 1/4” High By 10 1/4” Wide
Frame: 20 3/4” High By 16 3/4” Wide By 3/4″ 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