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La Mère l'Oye by Erté
- This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté embodies Art Deco glamour
- The elegant swags of red and gold fabric mimic the long craning neck of a swan
- Entitled mother goose, Erté poses his model in a ballet-like fifth position
- Erté was a trailblazer whose colorful creations shaped the groundbreaking Art Deco era
- Get complete item description here
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1892-1990 | Russian-French
La Mère l'Oye
Mother Goose
Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed n°8596(en verso)
Gouache on paper
This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled La Mère l'Oye or Mother Goose embodies the Art Deco glamour and tongue-in-cheek artistry for which the artist’s designs are so beloved. Featuring a white tutu skirt, bold red accents and an elaborate headpiece, this dazzling ensemble showcases the oft-called. . .
1892-1990 | Russian-French
La Mère l'Oye
Mother Goose
Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed n°8596(en verso)
Gouache on paper
This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled La Mère l'Oye or Mother Goose embodies the Art Deco glamour and tongue-in-cheek artistry for which the artist’s designs are so beloved. Featuring a white tutu skirt, bold red accents and an elaborate headpiece, this dazzling ensemble showcases the oft-called Father of Art Deco’s sartorial genius and unique understanding of form and movement.
Erté poses his model with outstretched arms, standing in a ballet-like fifth position. The elegant swags of red and gold fabric mimic the long craning neck of a swan and the stark white hue of the dress also recalls the avian animal. However, Erté only hints at the goose motif rather than rendering a fully bird-like costume. An over-the-top costume that showcases Erté‘s unique artistry, this beautiful red and white outfit was sure to turn heads and make a lasting impression on the stage.
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.
Circa 1947
Paper: 14 1/4” high by 9 5/8” wide
Frame: 20 3/4” high by 16 7/8” wide by 7/8" 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
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
