Poisson volant by Erté

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

Poisson volant (Flying Fish)

Signed “Erté”(lower right)
Inscribed "Serge - Voici un poisson choisi dans le menu d'un grand restaurant" (en verso)
Gouache on paper

Marked by striking vibrance, this original gouache from the creative mind of Erté entitled Poisson volant puts the spotlight on Erté’s tongue-in-cheek artistry. Oft-called “Father of Art Deco,” this clever and colorful work showcases the more whimsical side of Erté’s glamorous oeuvre. 

Merging Art Deco fashion with the piscine form of a brightly-hued fish, this captivating design highlights Erté’s passion for groundbreaking design with his love for double entendre. Gifted to his trusted personal assistant Serge Leeman, the inscription on the back translates to "Serge - Here is a fish chosen from the menu of a great restaurant." While this work’s companion composition takes a more fashion-forward approach, dressing its figure in a skirt and bodice, this work skews more toward the aquatic side of the spectrum. Skirt pleats are traded in for a fishtail and scaly appliqué. Sleeves are traded in for fins that have a wing-like flare and this fish too appears to take flight, aptly embodying the composition’s clever title. Set against a deep black background, Erté’s precise lines and vivid color palette pop with dazzling intensity.

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 1970

Paper: 14 1/2” high by 10 1/2” 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:
Serge Leeman, Paris
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans