Acte I Scène 4, Macbeth by Erté

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

Acte 1 Scéne IV, Macbeth


Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "No. 7604 / Macbeth / Acte I - Scène 4 / Palais de Forès" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This captivating gouache painting by Erté showcases the famed artist's genius as a set designer. A showcase of Erté's pioneering creativity and engagement with the traditions of theater, this striking set design for one of Shakespeare's darkest and most stirring plays, Macbeth, puts the spotlight on Erté's ability to capture high drama and intense grandeur with Deco flair.

In Act 1, Scene 4 of Macbeth, King Duncan, accompanied by his nobles, arrives at Macbeth's castle to be warmly welcomed by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This scene highlights the contrast between their gracious hospitality and Macbeth's growing inner turmoil as he contemplates the consequences of his ambition and the witches' prophecies.

In this gouache, Erté creates a striking and intense backdrop for Shakespeare’s Scottish play. Erté captures the grandeur of the court, rendering a stately throne flanked by a series of footmen. The proscenium is creatively crafted as two ravens appear to peel back the curtain of the scene. Created in an atypically stark palette for the illustrious designer, this unique set design reflects the intensity of the moment and the serious thrill of one of Shakespeare’s most storied plays. Unique and memorable, this gouache set design showcases the breadth of Erté‘s creativity and his ability to step into a multitude of stylistic languages to achieve the desired dramatic effect. 

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.

Painted 1945

Paper: 12" high x 17 1/2" wide
Frame: 16 1/4" high x 23 1/2" wide x 3/4" deep

Provenance:
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté and the Era of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024