Fantasme by Erté

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

Fantasme

Signed “Erté”(lower left)
Inscribed "Erté" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This exceptional work originates from the 1928 production titled Fantasme, a theatrical production that encapsulated the cultural and artistic sentiment of the Roaring Twenties. Rendered with a surrealistic touch, the work exudes the immersive quality characteristic of stage productions from this transformative era — a clear manifestation of a break from traditional norms and a firm embrace of modernity.

The composition is dominated by a non-human form, its visage composed of glittering white dots. These same dots form the artist's signature, elegantly dispersed over a watercolor background of green and blue hues. The result is a scene that is both dream-like and audaciously bold. Central to the composition is a young woman, her form entangled in the dotted tendrils of the enigmatic figure. Her attire, a blend of pink and blue, is accentuated by a lyre dangling from her right hand. This work is set apart by Erté's intellectual embrace of some of the art world's most avant-garde aesthetics. This piece serves not only as a captivating visual experience but also as a perfect representation of the artistic and cultural innovations of its time. The curtain design for this production is also held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The artist, 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 1928

Paper: 12“ high x 8 1/2” wide each
Frame: 17 5/8“ high x 13 7/8” wide x 3/4" deep

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

Provenance:
The artist’s personal collection
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans