Erte- An Iconic Artist

Erte is one of the most iconic artists of the twentieth century.  Born of French heritage in Russia in 1907 under the name Romain de Tirtoff, he later became known by Erte, based off of the French pronunciation of his initials- R.T.  It is believed he went by this pseudonym to avoid disgracing his family.  His family came from a long line of nobility and pursuing a career in art was not considering in line with the family’s reputation at the time.  Despite beginning in a career he one thought would bring shame on his family’s name, eventually Erte’s would go to have a long and successful career, becoming one of the most famous painters, designers, and sculptors of the twentieth century.  Erte bronze sculpture and painting would become among the world’s most collected works of art and he would go on to create a revolutionary and unique style that would forever be tired to his work and represent the artistic preferences of his entire era. 

Today, Erte is most famous for his beautiful fashion designs which launched his artistic career.  Erte began working with Harper’s Bazaar magazine in 1913.  This work would ultimately propel him into one of the most notable fashion designers of his time.  Throughout his carrier, Erte went on to create more than 240 covers for the magazine.  He also designed for other popular fashion magazines including Cosmopolitan and Vogue during the same period.  Erte also created notable fashion designs for famous dancers and Broadway actresses. Erte art is considered a quintessential example of art deco style which he is credited for creating during this time.  This style would go on to define the aesthetic of the entire era.  It would go on to influence the world of art, architecture, and fashion.  His paintings remain popular today for their iconic representation of the era.  Erte paintings of the 1920s and 1930s were famous for his innovative ideas and his flamboyant artistic style.  

Later in his carrier, Erte diversified greatly and became known for a wider range of art that would propel him to greater and more widespread recognition.  In the 1960s, Erte created a series of lithographs and sculptures.  This art was reminiscent of his earlier fashion design work and completed in very much the same style.  Because his new recalled the artistic leanings of the 1920s and 30s, it would later become known as art deco revival since these new Erte paintings and sculptures harkened back to the art deco movement which Erte is crediting for creating.  

Because they are so collectible and unique, Erte bronze sculptures have become extremely collectible.  Their art deco style which they were created in remains iconic and popular today.  Erte bronze sculptures and paintings can be found in some of the world’s most famous museum- including the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  

Erte had a long and illustrious career, continuing to produce art into his 90s.  His artistic style was so revolutionary that he experienced multiple periods of widespread critical acclaim both during the invention of the art deco style in the 1920s and 1930 and later during the art deco resurgence he created in the 1960s. Erte paintings and bronze sculptures remain extremely popular and collectible today due to their pioneering style.