Le khalife Haroun-Al-Rashid by Erté

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

Le Khalife Haroun-Al-Rashid


Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed “No. 1162” (en verso)

Gouache paper

This costume is designed for a performance inspired by the tales of Arabian Nights, with a specific focus on the character of Haroun al-Rashid, also known as Le Khalife Haroun-Al-Rashid. In the classic stories, he is celebrated as a wise and benevolent ruler, renowned for his promotion of education, culture and the arts. Historically, his reign marks the onset of the Islamic Golden Age, a period characterized by remarkable advancements in learning and innovation, and his court was a vibrant hub of creativity, fostering both the arts and sciences.

Bringing to life the regal splendor and wisdom of Arabian monarchs, this costume features shimmering silver pants and pointed shoes, accompanied by a vibrant green and yellow skirt adorned with Art-Deco-inspired stylized eyes, sparkling with precious jewels. The matching green vest, embellished with eye motifs, is accentuated by the King's flowing black cape that gracefully trails to the floor. Completing this majestic ensemble, the model's emerald turban is crowned with a resplendent silver headpiece featuring an all-seeing eye, making a striking statement atop the headdress.

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 1942

Paper: 14 1/4" high x 10 1/2” wide
Frame: 20 3/4" high x 16 7/8" 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