Erté. MY LIFE / MY ART: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. New York: E. P. Dutton and Dyansen Galleries, 1989. First edition. No. 516 of 1000 copies signed and numbered and made for Dyansen Galleries; signed by the artist on tipped in limitation page. Hardcover in blue leather with cover illustration of Erté, silver lettering on spine, pictorial endpapers, in velveteen-lined blue clamshell case with pink ribbon, stamped in silver and gold. Folio; 240 pp. with index. Includes chronology, discussion of the artist's life, numerous plates with black and white photographs and color illustrations, bibliography, and index of works. With erratum slip.

Case 15 5/8 x 12 x 1 7/8 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.

An easily near fine book; clamshell box with rubbed corners including minor loss to leather, areas of denting on front, slight separation but still sturdy, marks on velveteen; with all ribbons.