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.
"Pleasure of the Courtesan"Bronze Sculpture by Erté, '1988'
By Erté
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited edition "Pleasure of the Courtesan" sculpture by Erté made with cold-painted and gilt bronze depicting a beautiful woman with a chain surroun...
Bronze
"Byzantine" Bronze Sculpture by Erté, 1987
By Erté
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Byzantine" sculpture by Erté made with cold-painted bronze depicting a byzantine lady with traditional clothing/accessories. Signed and dated (1987)...
Bronze
"Venus" Bronze Sculpture by Erté, 1987
By Erté
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Venus" sculpture by Erté made with cold-painted bronze depicting a female in elegant couture with bright colors and impeccable details. Signed and d...
Bronze
"Slave" Bronze Sculpture by Erté, 1988
By Erté
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Slave," an exceptional bronze sculpture created by the renowned artist Erté in 1988, stands as a testament to the artist's captivating vision and meticulous craftsmanship. This part...
Bronze
"Peace" Bronze Sculpture by Erté, 1984
By Erté
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Peace" patinated bronze sculpture by Erté, depicting a woman figure dressed in a beautiful long robe and wearing a crown/tiara that resembles rays, while also having a dove above he...
Bronze
"Amazon" Bronze Sculpture by Erté, 1985
By Erté
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Presenting a magnificent bronze equestrian sculpture titled "Amazon" by the renowned artist Erté, also known as Romain de Tirtoff. This exceptional piece, numbered 335 out of a limit...
Bronze
Limited Edition Cold-Painted Bronze Sculpture entitled "Monaco" by Erté
By Erté
Located in London, GB
A captivating limited edition Art Deco bronze figure of an elegant beauty wearing a full length gown with a dramatic black and gold shawl draped across her arms with a large decorati...
Bronze
Bamboo Bronze Sculpture, Art Deco Style, Signed Edition of 375, 1989
By Erté
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Incised Erte signature with stamp numbered edition, foundry and date. From the edition of 375. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Bronze
20th Century Art Deco Bronze Entitled "Chinese Legend" by Erté
By Erté
Located in London, GB
"Chinese Legend" by Erté An eye catching limited edition cold painted Art Deco bronze figure of an elegant beauty in a full length costume resembling a Fenghuang. The bronze surface with excellent colour and detail, signed Erté, numbered 50/500, dated 1988 and with foundry mark. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 55 cm Circa: 1988 Foundry: Seven Arts Materials: Bronze Book Ref: Erte – The Last Works by Eric Estorick Page No: 152 SKU: 8260 ABOUT Erté Sculpture...
Bronze
Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture entitled "Femme de Luxe" by Erté
By Erté
Located in London, GB
An eyecatching limited edition bronze of an elegant woman dressed in an impressive coat lined with fur collars and decoration with gilded flames. The figure raised on an integral ste...
Bronze
Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture entitled "Coquette" by Erte
By Erté
Located in London, GB
A fabulous limited edition cold painted bronze figure of an elegant beauty dressed in a full length gown looking into her pocket mirror with excellent colour and very fine hand finished detail. Signed Erté, numbered 179/375, dated 1986 and with foundry mark. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 46 cm Circa: 1985 Foundry: Fine Art Acquisitions Materials: Bronze Book Ref: Erté The Last Works by Eric Estorick Page no. 104 SKU: 9104 ABOUT Erté La Coquette Erté Sculpture Erté La Coquette – Sculpture as such has been a rather late arrival in Erté’s life, but his three-dimensional creativity began long before he started to work with Paul Poiret in Paris in 1913. It began at his house in St. Petersburg in 1897, when he was five years of age and created a little theatre using his mothers empty perfume bottles...
Bronze
Limited Edition 20th Century Bronze Sculpture entitled "Stranded" by Erté
By Erté
Located in London, GB
A wonderful limited edition Artist Proof Art Deco bronze sculpture depicting a young woman standing on a rocky landscape surrounded by crashing waves. The bronze with excellent ename...
Bronze
