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Betty by Erté
- This Erté design merges the influences of modern culture and Orientalism
- This highly ornate ensemble recalls the exotic attire of famed dancer Josephine Baker
- Scantily clad, the dancer holds a tiny skunk-like animal in one hand
- Romain de Tirtoff, popularly known as Erté, is known as the Father of Art Deco
- Get complete item description here
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1892-1990 | Russian-French
Betty
Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "N°114.4" (en verso)
Gouache on paper
This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled Betty showcases the breadth of Erté’s artistry. This alluring and exotic costume showcases the oft-called “Father of Art Deco”’s boundless creativity and fashionable sartorial genius.
The highly ornate ensemble recalls the exotic attire of other famed dancers of the era like Josephine. . .
1892-1990 | Russian-French
Betty
Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "N°114.4" (en verso)
Gouache on paper
This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled Betty showcases the breadth of Erté’s artistry. This alluring and exotic costume showcases the oft-called “Father of Art Deco”’s boundless creativity and fashionable sartorial genius.
The highly ornate ensemble recalls the exotic attire of other famed dancers of the era like Josephine Baker. Merging the influences of modern culture and Orientalism, Erté designs an elaborate headdress and matching low-slung frilly skirted belt. Scantily clad in little else than the headdress, cuffs and frilly belt, the dancer holds a tiny skunk-like animal in one hand. The animal’s long black and white striped tail wraps around her arm and the layers of her headdress mimic the alternating onyx and alabaster stripes of the animal’s tail. Busting with exotic whimsy, this unique gouache on paper underscores the artist's daring creativity and risqué design choices.
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 1/2” high by 8” wide
Frame: 18” high by 13 1/4" 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, Monaco
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
