Eros by Erté

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

Eros

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Gouache and silver on paper

Eros is historically portrayed as a mischievous, winged youth who induces love or desire in both mortals and deities. Erté‘s rendition of the Greek god draws from that very mythology. Armed with a quiver and bow, the boyish cherub floats above the ground in trousers formed of flowers. His multi-hued wings and vibrant tunic offer a fresh take on the classical tale. The blending of ancient Greek styles with modern fashion demonstrates the enduring influence of Classicism on Erté.

Thanks to the breadth of his cultural experiences, the Art Deco style that he came to pioneer included both Classicist and Orientalist influences, looking to both the glory of the ancient world and the allure of Eastern artistic traditions. Classicism embodied an enduring pursuit of harmony, proportion and idealized forms, drawn directly from ancient Greece and Rome. Perpetually revisited and adapted by successive generations of artists, the Art Deco movement interpreted this ancient legacy in a new way. For the tales of Hercules and Helen of Sparta reinterpreted on Parisian stages, Erté melded the iconic motifs of the ancient world with modern sensuality and style in his costuming and set design.

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 1919

Paper: 12" high x 8 7/8" wide
Frame: 19 1/8" high x 16" wide x 5/8" 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