Le chien qui fume by Erté

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

Le chien qui fume
(The Smoking Dog)

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Gouache on paper

This set design by Erté, entitled Le chien qui fume, pays homage to a renowned Parisian restaurant, an iconic establishment since its inception in 1740. A 1950s menu from the venerable venue advertised dine-and-dance evenings, featuring an illustration of a stylish Parisian couple seated at a table in their evening attire. The menu interior proclaims, "This is the rendezvous for everyone who loves gaiety, good food, old wines and champagne," before noting that the orchestra ceases its performance at 6am — a testament to the restaurant's lively atmosphere.

In Erté's theatrical rendition of the interior, he portrays three couples within the restaurant's historic brick and stone walls. The men wear military garb, while the women don elegant evening gowns. All are captured in the act of toasting to the occasion. Waitstaff are depicted serving meals to the diners, and the entire scene is suffused with warm red and purple hues that contribute to the venue's romantic and delightful ambiance.

​The alliance between Erté and the vibrant performing arts scene of Paris transported audiences to new heights throughout the early 20th century. Erté emerged as an unmatched and emblematic creative force whose visionary designs were imbued with an otherworldly appeal. His mesmerizing costume and set designs left an indelible imprint on operatic and theater productions of the period.

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.

Circa 1980

Paper: 9 1/2“ high x 13 1/2” wide
Frame: 15" high x 19 1/4" wide x 3/4" 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