Acte I, Così fan Tutte by Erté

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

Acte I, Così fan Tutte

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed n°11.841 “Così fan Tutte, Décor du 1st acte” and stamped "Erté Estate, 1990" and "Serge Leeman" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This original gouache by Erté showcases the Art Deco master's genius with set design. A testament to Erté's pioneering creativity and engagement with the traditions of theater, this beautiful tableau for the famous opera Così fan tutte epitomizes the creative grandeur of the man often hailed as the "Father of Art Deco."

Composed by the iconic Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo Da PonteCosì fan tutte is a celebrated opera buffa that premiered in Vienna in 1790. It is widely believed that the opera was written at the suggestion of Emperor Joseph II. The cheeky title translates to "Women are like that," and the production explores the theme of "fiancée swapping," an oft-explored plot in Shakespearean works and other iconic literature. 

In this gouache, Erté designs a dazzling Rococo-style set. A damsel clad in petticoats and a powdered wig stands romantically from a picturesque balcony as a suitor ascends the stairs. The elaborate porch is decorated with marble mythological figures and the scene is completed by a picturesque village backdrop. The stage’s proscenium design matches the Rococo grandeur of the set, complete with cupids and swirling motifs in quintessential pink and blue hues. Artful and over-the-top, this romantic set design showcases the theatrical beauty of Erté’s oeuvre. 

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 & Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

Circa 1951

Paper: 10” high by 17” wide
Frame: 15 3/8” high by 22 1/2” 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:
Erté’s Estate, Boulogne 1990
Serge Leeman, Paris
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans