Gysie by Erté

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

Gysie

Signed “Erté”(lower right)
Inscribed "No. 5442" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This composition by Erté entitled Gysie features an enthralling pink gown, alluding to a character in a performance that draws inspiration from the celebrated 1912 French musical composition "Une femme aux bijoux," or "The Woman with Jewelry." Conceived by the artistic collaboration of Bénech and Dumont, this song has garnered lasting esteem in theatrical venues throughout French and American societies. Erté's creation is a spectacle of jeweled magnificence. The model is adorned with a pink skirt with high slits, exposing her legs to reveal her exquisite jewel-embellished garters. Her bare torso is elegantly emphasized by a double strand of pearls, accompanied by jewel accents that coordinate with her garters. A cerulean blue, fan-shaped back piece evokes the semblance of geometric wings and harmonizes with a charming pair of gloves. Embodying the grandeur of Parisian cabarets, this attire stands as the quintessence of Art Deco sophistication and sensual appeal.

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 1940

Paper: 14 1/2” high by 10” wide
Frame: 20 3/4” high by 16 7/8” 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, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans