Voiles de Vienne by Erté

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

Voiles de Vienne
(The Sails of Vienna)

Signed “Erté” (middle right)
Inscribed “Voiles de Vienne / Succession Erte / Romain de Tirtoff / Boulogne 1990” (en verso)
Gouache on paper

This set design, entitled Voiles de Vienne, depicts a fashionable woman seated before a white pillar overlooking the Vienna skyline. She is adorned pink, as her fan of expansive pink feathers showcase her social standing. A would-be suitor makes a discreet appearance in the room, tipping his hat in a gesture that is both amiable and flirtatious. The palace itself is a testament to historical grandeur, embellished with intricate black and white crests, elaborate scrollwork and decorative ornamentation. Erté's design is further accentuated by two cherubs holding lit candelabras, adding a final touch of opulence to the scene.

​The alliance between Erté and the vibrant performing arts scene of Paris transported audiences to new heights throughout the 20th century. Erté emerged as an unmatched and emblematic creative force whose visionary designs were imbued with an otherworldly appeal. His mesmerizing costume and set designs left an indelible imprint on operatic and theater productions of the period.

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. 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 1980

Paper: 6 1/2" high x 8 1/4" wide
Frame: 13" high x 14 1/2" wide x 3/4" deep

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

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