La Nouvelle Angleterre by Erté

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

La nouvelle Angleterre
New England

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "No. 12.407 / Les Nouvelles / La nouvelle Angleterre / Composition originale" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled La nouvelle Angleterre puts the spotlight on Erté’s tongue-in-cheek artistry. Created in a series of works Erté cleverly dubbed Les Nouvelles or The News, this ensemble showcases Erté‘s sartorial interpretation of New England. A combination of high fashion and double entendre, this clever and daring design showcases the Oft-called “Father of Art Deco’s" creative genius. 

In this gouache, Erté envisions New England as a scantily clad model dressed in the regalia of a British king, complete with Ermine robes. However, it appears that Erté trades the spotted fur for tassled fabric. The model’s shoulders are draped with a red stole showing the traditional lion of the British monarchy on one side and a fantastical unicorn figure on the other—perhaps Erté’s commentary on the fate of the British colonies in the Americas. The ensemble is completed by an elaborate crown and a multitude of necklaces—however rather than being fashioned from shiny Crown Jewels, the items are created from an abundance of pearls, possibly symbolizing the great voyage to the New Americas. Ever the risk-taker, Erté‘s ensemble features a completely open bust, exposing the entirety of his model’s chest in a dramatic fashion. This creative and striking gouache on paper underscores Erté’s clever imagination, unique point of view and unimpeachable sartorial genius.

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 1952

Paper: 15" high x 11" wide
Frame: 20 3/4" high x 16 3/4" 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