Ailerons de requin by Erté

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

Ailerons de requin
(Shark Fins)

Inscribed “n°1.491 / Aladin / Ailerons de Requin” (en verso)
Gouache on paper

In 1928, Erté undertook the creation of stage designs and costumes for Aladin, a theatrical production that drew inspiration from the enchanting tales of Arabian Nights. Staged at the renowned Folies Bergère, this production marked a convergence of Erté's vision with Eastern artistic influence. This gouache on paper entitled Ailerons de requin captures the pivotal narrative moment when Aladin transforms, at least partially and temporarily, into a shark. Statuesque in its presence and representative of the Art Deco periods's bold patterns and natural influences, this creation by the “Father of Art Deco” himself is an exceptional example of Erté's finest work. 

Thanks to the breadth of the artist’s cultural experiences in his youth, Erté’s visionary Art Deco style looked to both the glory of the ancient world and the allure of Eastern artistic traditions. Erté melded the iconic motifs of ancient Greece and Rome with modern sensuality and style in his costuming and set design, particularly for the performances of ancient tales like Helen of Sparta and Hercules. The artist also prominently showcased Asian-inspired designs and a growing appreciation for non-Western aesthetics. The allure of the so-called "Orient" found resonance within the geometric precision emblematic of the Art Deco style, as stories like Aladin were reinterpreted for French audiences.

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. 

Painted 1929

Paper: 11“ high x 9” wide
Frame: 17 1/4“ high x 14 1/4” wide x 3/4" deep

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