1979
Born Romain de Tirtoff (1892–1990) in St. Petersburg, Russia, to an aristocratic family, the artist known as Erté — a pseudonym derived from the French pronunciation of his initials — was a Renaissance man of the art and design world. He worked in graphic arts, interior design, fashion, jewelry and set design for the stage and silver screen, becoming a leader of the Art Deco style.
Moving to Paris in 1912, Erté worked as a fashion designer under couturier Paul Poiret before securing a job with Harper’s Bazaar as a cover artist. Over 22 years, Erté created more than 240 magazine covers alongside his ongoing work in fashion design.
Extending his prolific career into theater sets, costumes, prints and lithographs, Erté became one of the most famous artists of the era. His style — a combination of the nature-inspired flourishes of Art Nouveau and bold, geometric linework — directly contributed to the birth of Art Deco, earning him the nickname “the Father of Art Deco.”
After a lull of creative production in the 1940s and 1950s, Erté reentered the public eye in the 1960s, when a renewed interest in Art Deco had taken shape.
Creating colorful lithographs, bold serigraphs (silk-screen prints) and bronze sculptures, he contributed to a resurgence of the style in France and beyond. This late-life acclaim for his art led to exhibitions in museums and galleries all over the world as well as his first published monograph in 1970. That same year he was awarded the title of Chevalier du Mérite Artistique et Cultural and in 1976 was named Officier des Arts et Lettres by the French government.
Today, Erté’s works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and LACMA in Los Angeles.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of Erté art, including fine art prints, paintings and other works.
Elegant Lithograph Print, Art Deco Style, Signed, 20th Century, 27.5"
By Erté
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) (Russian, 1892 – 1990) Elegant, 1990 Lithograph Signed ‘Erte’ in pencil (lower right) 27.1/2 x 22.1/4 in. (70 x 56.5 cm.) (sheet size)
Lithograph
Erte lithograph of Michelle, Art Deco signed lithograph, 21/300 print
By Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) (French/Russian, 1892-1990) Michelle Lithograph Signed `Erte’ (lower right) and numbered `21/300’ (lower left) Frame measures 39.1/4 x 30.3/8 in. (100x 77 cm.)
Lithograph
Romain de Tirtoff, called Erte, Art Deco theatre set design in ink
By Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Romain de Tirtoff, called Erte (French/Russian, 1892-1990) Décor pour une entrée des danseuses Ink pen Signed with studio stamp (lower right) 5 x 7 in. (12.8 x 17.8 cm.) Provenance :...
Ink
Romain de Tirtoff, called Erte, Art Deco Gouache theatre design
By Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Romain de Tirtoff, called Erte (French/Russian, 1892-1990) A set design featuring a tree for Une Noce chez les nudists (A nudist wedding) Gouache on paper Signed with atelier stamp (...
Paper, Gouache
Erte original furniture art deco designs in ink, gold paint and watercolour
By Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Romain de Tirtoff, called ERTE (Russian/French, 1892-1990) Meuble a Courrier Ink, gold paint and watercolour Inscribed with details (upper left) and signed with studio stamp (lower right) 11.1/2 x 15.1/8 in. (29.3 x 38.5 cm.) Provenance: The personal collection of the artist Gifted to Serge Leeman and thence by descent Romain de Tirtoff, commonly known as Erté, is widely recognized as the most influential artist of the Art Deco movement. His distinguished career spanned over 80 years and crossed over into several mediums including fashion illustration, stage and costume design and bronze sculpture. Erté was born on November 23, 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father was a military man...
Ink, Watercolor
Romain de Tirtoff, called ERTÉ, Art Deco theatre set designs, signed
By Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Romain de Tirtoff, called ERTÉ (French/Russian, 1892-1990) Plus ca change – Plus c`est la meme chose, Décor; and Rideau du Coeur Ink pen Signed with studio stamp (lower right) 5 x 7 ...
Ink
Manhattan Mary II Serigraph, Art Deco, Signed, Framed, 1986
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed and numbered on front by Erte. From the edition of 300. Artwork size 23.25 x 16.5 inches. Framed size approx 29 x 23 inches. Artwork is...
Paper, Screen
Erte In The Evening Signed Contemporary Art Deco Serigraph on Paper Framed 1981
By Erté
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A contemporary figurative serigraph with silver embossed embellishments titled "In the Evening" by the Father of Art Deco, Erte. Hand signed in pencil on the lower right with an anno...
Paper
Erte Manhattan Mary Ⅲ
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The artist Roman de Tiltov, known as ERTE. A Russian designer who was active throughout the 20th century across a wide range of fields—including illustration, costume design for oper...
Paper
Aphrodite, Framed Art Deco Foil and Screenprint by Erte
By Erté
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Erté Title: Aphrodite Year: 1985 Medium: Embossed Serigraph with foil stamping, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 185/300 Image Size: 32 x 22.5 inches Size: 35.5 x 25.5 ...
Foil
Erte Giulietta Serigraph 1990's
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The elegant figure of a woman is depicted in the centre of a simple, abstract design. The detailed design and delicate lines are beautifully expressed.
Paper
Diva I Embossed Serigraph with Foil Stamping, Signed, 21/300, 53x43 in
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Diva I, from Diva Suite. Embossed serigraph with foil stamping on paper. Hand signed lower right by Erte. Hand numbered 21/300 lower left. Sheet size: 3...
Foil
