Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Patinated and cold-painted bronze, signed and numbered edition 270 of 375, published by Chalk & Vermilion and SevenArts, with Joel Meisner foundry mark, copyrighted and dated to terrace edge, mounted upon a beveled hardstone base.
28 3/4 x 13 x 11 1/2 in.
Private Collection, Raleigh, North Carolina An artist of myriad creative pursuits, Erté began his career in 1915 creating cover illustrations for
Harper's Bazaar magazine for 22 years. Blending curvilinear rhythms from Art Nouveau and the geometric motifs from Cubism and Constructivism, Erté's stylized illustrations, figures, and fashion designs were sought after by the chic and wealthy, and highly influential on the creation of the Art Deco art movement.
In addition to his illustration career, Erté created theatrical sets for
Folies-Bergere,
Ziegfield Follies, George White's
Scandals,
The Lido, and
Moulin Rouge. He created original costume and fashion designs for many of the era's most renowned screen actresses, including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Anna Pavlova, Norma Shearer and others.
At the age of 75, Erté was encouraged to embark on a new career recreating the remarkable designs of his youth in bronze and serigraphy. His original designs are included in the permanent collections of many prestigious museums throughout the world including New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution and London's Victoria & Albert Museum.
Overall good estate condition; the top of two upper spires with very minor rubbing; tassel beads with some tarnish.