Foulques by Erté

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

Foulques

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Stamped “Erté, Romain de Tirtoff” and “Original composition” (en verso)
Inscribed “No. 12.190 / La leçon d'Amour dans un Parc / 1951" Gouache on paper

In this colorful gouache, Erté draws a highly detailed and unique costume inspired by La Leçon d'amour dans un Parc by René Boylesve. Erté's dashing male lead is clad in all the finery of a gentleman of distinction, completed with a baby blue tailcoat festooned with floral garland, an elaborately tied cravat and a hassled vest. This elegant composition exudes the quintessential opulence and drama that only Erté, the oft-called “Father of Art Deco,” could achieve.

First published in 1902, La Leçon d'amour dans un Parc by René Boylesve is a short story that revolves around a chance encounter between two individuals in a park. During their conversation, they engage in a philosophical discussion about love and relationships, highlighting the subjectivity and diversity of human emotions when it comes to matters of the heart. The volume proved to be inspirational for Erté and he drew from its romantic and chivalrous themes to create this original costume design. Creative and bold, Erté’s artistic interpretations of Boylesve’s words showcase his clever imagination and sophisticated point of view.

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 1951

Paper: 14” high by 10” wide
Frame: 20 3/4” high by 16 7/8” wide by 3/4" deep

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