Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 | Russian-French La Magicienne (The Magician) Signed “Erté” (lower right) Gouache on paper This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled La Magicienne embodies the Art Deco glamour and over-the-top drama for which the artist’s designs are so beloved. Featuring a beautiful celestial blue gown and sparkling diamond details, this ensemble showcases the oft-called Father of Art Deco’s sartorial genius and unique understanding of form and movement. In La Magicienne, Erté renders a spellbinding sorceress suffused with an enigmatic allure and sensuality. Ornate embellishments cover the magician’s dress, and her ombre-hued hair cascades behind her like a feather boa. An iconic example of Erté’s otherworldly aesthetic, the model’s ensemble is finished with a pointed silver crown and a magic wand. 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 & Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Circa 1940 Paper: 12” high by 9 1/2” wide Frame: 17 5/8” high by 14 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
