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“Romain de Tirtoff (23 November 1892 – 21 April 1990) was a Russian-born French artist and designer known by the pseudonym Erté, the French pronunciation of his initials, R.T. He was a diversely talented 20th-century artist and designer who flourished in an array of fields, including fashion, jewellery, graphic arts, costume and set design for film, theatre, and opera, and interior decor.

Tirtoff was born Roman Petrovich Tyrtov (Роман Петрович Тыртов) in Saint Petersburg, to a distinguished family with roots tracing back to 1548. His father, Pyotr Ivanovich Tyrtov, served as an admiral in the Russian Fleet.

In 1907, he lived one year in Paris. He said about this time “I did not discover Beardsley until when I had already been in Paris for a year”. In 1910–12, Romain moved to Paris to pursue a career as a designer. He made this decision despite strong objections from his father, who wanted Romain to continue the family tradition and become a naval officer. Romain assumed his pseudonym to avoid disgracing the family. He worked for Paul Poiret from 1913-1914. In 1915, he secured his first substantial contract with Harper's Bazaar magazine, and thus launched an illustrious career that included designing costumes and stage sets. Between 1915–1937, Erte designed over 200 covers for Harper's Bazaar, and his illustrations would also appear in such publications as Illustrated London News, Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, and Vogue.

Erté is perhaps most famous for his elegant fashion designs which capture the art deco period in which he worked. One of his earliest successes was designing apparel for the French dancer Gaby Deslys who died in 1920. His delicate figures and sophisticated, glamorous designs are instantly recognisable, and his ideas and art still influence fashion into the 21st century. His costumes, programme designs, and sets were featured in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1923, many productions of the Folies Bergère, and George White's Scandals. On Broadway, the celebrated French chanteuse Irène Bordoni wore Erté's designs.

In 1925, Louis B. Mayer brought him to Hollywood to design sets and costumes for the silent film Paris. There were many script problems, so Erté was given other assignments to keep him busy. Hence, he designed for such films as Ben-Hur, The Mystic, Time, The Comedian, and Dance Madness. In 1920 he designed the set and costumes for the movie Restless s*x starring Marion Davies and financed by William Randolph Hearst.

By far, his best known image is Symphony in Black, depicting a tall, slender woman draped in black holding a thin black dog on a leash. The influential image has been reproduced and copied countless times.

Erté continued working throughout his life, designing revues, ballets, and operas. He had a major rejuvenation and much lauded interest in his career during the 1960s with the Art Deco revival. He branched out into the realm of limited edition prints, bronzes, and wearable art.

His work may be found in the collections of several well-known museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a sizable collection of work by Erté can be found at Museum 1999 in Tokyo”. – Wikipedia


Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Diamonds

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Diamonds



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Clubs

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Clubs



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Hearts

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Hearts



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Spades

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Aces: Spades



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «A»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «A»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «B»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «B»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «C»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «C»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «D»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «D»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «E»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «E»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «F»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «F»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «G»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «G»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «H»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «H»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «I»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «I»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «J»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «J»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «K»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «K»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «L»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «L»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «M»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «M»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «N»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «N»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «O»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «O»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «P»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «P»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «Q»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «Q»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «R»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «R»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «S»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «S»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «T»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «T»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «U»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «U»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «V»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «V»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «W»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «W»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «X»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «X»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «Y»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «Y»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «Z»

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Alphabet: Letter «Z»



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Zero

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Zero



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number One

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number One



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Two

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Two



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Three

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Three



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Four

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Four



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Five

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Five



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Six

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Six



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Seven

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Seven



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Eight

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Eight



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Nine

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Number Nine



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Emerald

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Emerald



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Diamond

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Diamond



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Amethyst

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Amethyst



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Sapphire

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Sapphire



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Ruby

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Ruby



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Topaz

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Precious Stones: Topaz



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Autumn

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Autumn



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Winter

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Winter



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Spring

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Spring



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Summer

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seasons: Summer



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Aries

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Aries



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Taurus

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Taurus



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Gemini

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Gemini



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Cancer

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Cancer



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Leo

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Leo



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Virgo

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Virgo



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Libra

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Libra



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Scorpio

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Scorpio



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Sagittarius

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Sagittarius



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Capricom

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Capricom



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Aquarius

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Aquarius



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Pisces

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Zodiac: Pisces



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Envy



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Anger

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Anger



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Hapers Bazar Cover, 1921

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Hapers Bazar Cover, 1921



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Hapers Bazar Cover, 1921

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Hapers Bazar Cover, 1921



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Hapers Bazar Cover, 1923

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Hapers Bazar Cover, 1923



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – Golden Calf

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – Golden Calf



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Adam and Eve

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Adam and Eve



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – The Dancer

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – The Dancer



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – Melisande

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – Melisande



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – Trapeze

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – At the Theatre – Trapeze



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Columbine

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Columbine



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Debutante

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Debutante



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Fantasia

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Fantasia



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – La Traviata

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – La Traviata



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Oriental Tale

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Oriental Tale



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Her Secret Admirers

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Her Secret Admirers



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Sleeping Beauty

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Sleeping Beauty



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Loves Captive

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Loves Captive



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Spring Rain

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Spring Rain



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Symphony In Black

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Symphony In Black



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Spring Shadows

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Spring Shadows



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Stolen Kisses

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – Stolen Kisses



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Surprises Of The Sea

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Surprises Of The Sea



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Pursuit of Flore

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Pursuit of Flore



Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Nile

Romain de Tirtoff (Erte) – The Nile
29 Jan 2014 13:34:00