Le poker by Erté

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

Le poker
Poker

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "No. 11.695 / Le Jeux / Le poker / (3e dame) / Composition originale / A Serge avec mille amitiés" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled Le poker puts the spotlight on Erté’s tongue-in-cheek artistry. Created in a series of works Erté cleverly dubbed <3em>Le Jeux or The Game, this ensemble showcases Erté‘s sartorial interpretation of a poker card. 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 creative ensemble, Erté renders his poker queen in an elaborate regal sash dotted with the various symbols of the suits of cards — hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds. Interestingly, Erté gives his model a name, adorning her with a sash that reads “Rachel” in clear letters. The poker queen continues the card theme with diamond-shaped jewels and brooches bedazzling her bodice. Erté completes the queen’s look with an elaborate gem-encrusted crown streaming with a bold red veil. Erté’s striking color palette and creative play on the card game theme underscore his dazzlingly clever point of view and elevated sense of style.

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 1951

Paper: 13 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:
Serge Leeman, Paris
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans