Salade de fleurs de lotus by Erté

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

Salade de fleurs de lotus
(Lotus Flower Salad)

Inscribed “n°1.497” (en verso)
Gouache on paper

In 1929, Erté embarked on the creative journey of designing stage settings and costumes for Aladin, a theatrical production that found its inspiration in the captivating stories of Arabian Nights. Presented at the illustrious Folies Bergère, this production became the nexus where Erté's artistic ingenuity met the allure of Eastern culture, converging the worlds of art and theater. This particular gouache on paper entitled Salade de fleurs de lotus, emanates an almost sculptural aura, characterized by the subject's profound black silhouette adorned with lustrous gilded accents resembling the delicate petals of a lotus flower. Representing the epitome of the Art Deco era's audacious patterns and opulent embellishments, Salade de fleurs de lotus by the "Father of Art Deco" stands as an extraordinary testament to Erté's artistic vision.

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 Aladin 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 1929

Paper: 11“ high x 9” wide
Frame: 17 1/8“ high x 14 1/8” wide x 3/4" deep

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