Le Roi Mage Gaspard by Erté

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

Le Roi Mage Gaspard
Mage King Gaspard

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "Les Rois des Légendes / N°3 / Roi Mage Gaspard / Date : 28 Février 1919 / No. 222" (en verso)
Ink and gouache on paper

A testament to Erté's pioneering creativity, this elaborate costume design was created for a 1919 production of Les Rois des Légendes, a performance that showcased a variety of legendary kings from throughout history. One of the three Magi, Gaspard or Gaspar (also known as Casper), was a legendary Magi who, alongside Melchior and Balthasar, paid homage to the baby Jesus. Gaspard is often depicted as an Indian king who brought frankincense as a gift to the Christ Child. 

In this elaborate gouache, Erté paints Gaspard in voluminous robes sewn from royal blue and purple fabrics and accented by rich patterns, tassels and beading. Gaspard’s regal attire and strong forward pose emphasize his stately presence and biblical importance. Gaspard stands with arms outstretched with overflowing dishes of frankincense in each hand. Erté renders the nodules of frankincense resin-like long strings of pearls, adding a touch of Art Deco glamour to the ancient origin story. An elegant profusion of sumptuous color, detailed pattern, regal pageantry and theatrical glamour, this gouache draws on both Orientalist influences and Erté’s own Art Deco geometries.

Paris witnessed a remarkable cultural synthesis during the Art Deco period, and Orientalism played a significant role in shaping the city's artistic and intellectual milieu. At the same 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, often considered the naissance of the Art Deco style, many artisans prominently showcased Eastern-inspired designs and a growing appreciation for non-Western aesthetics. Productions like Les Rois des Légendes melded Orientalist aesthetics into Paris' artistic output in a new way.

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.

Painted 1919

Paper: 12 1/4” high x 7 7/8" wide
Frame: 20 3/4" high x 16 3/4" wide x 5/8" deep

Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté and the Era of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024

Provenance:
Private collection of Serge Leeman, Paris
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans