Oiseaux by Erté

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

Oiseaux (Birds)

Signed “Erté”(lower right)
Inscribed "No. 15.617 "Oiseaux / Groupe de danseuses" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This original gouache masterpiece titled Oiseaux invites viewers to step into the whimsical world of Erté, the esteemed artist often hailed as the "Father of Art Deco." This vibrant work showcases Erté's flair for groundbreaking design, blending his love for animal-inspired costuming with the glamour of Art Deco fashion.

In this captivating piece, Erté leans into the avian theme, dressing the figure in an eye-catching orange feather skirt and bodice. The ensemble is elevated by a glittering collar and a headpiece that cascades like a luxurious boa, evoking the splendor of a true bird of paradise. Adding to the drama, the model holds two matching torchieres, from which a burst of airborne birds seems to emanate. All of this is set against a deep black background, making Erté's precise lines and vivid colors pop with dazzling intensity. This remarkable design once resided in the private collection of Hélène Martini, the famed director of the Folies Bergères and a close personal friend of Erté. In fact, following the artist’s death in 1990, he left his entire art collection to Martini.

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 Circa 1959

Paper: 14 3/4” high by 10 3/4” wide
Frame: 20 3/4” high by 16 7/8” wide by 3/4" deep

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

Provenance:
Private collection of Hélène Martini, Paris
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans