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.
Erte La Somptuese 1990's
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The artist Roman de Tiltov, known as ERTE. A Russian designer who was active throughout the 20th century across a wide range of fields—including illustration, costume design for oper...
Paper
Erte Harmony 1980's
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The artist Roman de Tiltov, known as ERTE. A Russian designer active throughout the 20th century across a wide range of fields—including illustration, costume design for opera, balle...
Paper
$1,500
H 32 in W 28 in D 1.5 in
Erte In The Evening Signed Contemporary Art Deco Serigraph on Paper Framed 1981
By Erté
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A contemporary figurative serigraph with silver embossed embellishments titled "In the Evening" by the Father of Art Deco, Erte. Hand signed in pencil on the lower right with an anno...
Paper
$3,731Sale Price|25% Off
H 24.75 in W 19 in D 1 in
Erte 'Heat' Hand-Signed Serigraph, Art Deco Style, Late 20th Century
By Erté
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Erté was born Romain de Tirtoff in St. Petersburg, Russia on November 23rd, 1892 and was raised amidst Russia's social elite. At the age of five he created an evening gown for his mo...
Paper
Erte ‘French, 1892-1990’ the Trapeze
By Erté
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Erte (French, 1892-1990), The Trapeze screen print in colors, from The Theatre Suite, signed and numbered 121/300 in pencil lower margin, matted and presented in black lacquer frame....
Lacquer
$7,000
H 45.5 in W 35.5 in D 1.5 in
Erte '1892-1990' "Pearls and Diamonds" Ltd Ed Serigraph, Signed and Numbered
By Erté
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Signed lower right, numbered 115/300 lower left. A 1987 design. A dramatic Art Deco style image of a female performer figure in silver adorned with pearls and diamonds on a black gro...
Acrylic, Paper
$800Sale Price / item|33% Off
H 13.5 in W 6.75 in D 0.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Unframed Calyph's Favorite Erté Hand Signed Lithograph
By Erté
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a marvelous, hand signed lithograph by artist Erté, father of the Art Deco movement. Size is 13.5" H x 6.75” W. In excellent vintage condition. Romain de...
Paper
Erté (Russian-French, 1892-1990) "Manhattan Mary I" Signed Lithograph
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Romain de Tirtoff "Erté" (Russian-French, 1892-1990) "Manhattan Mary I" lithograph depicting a fullbody view of a fashionable Art Deco style woman with short brown hair, blue makeup,...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Erte Giulietta Serigraph 1990's
By Erté
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The elegant figure of a woman is depicted in the centre of a simple, abstract design. The detailed design and delicate lines are beautifully expressed.
Paper
$1,578
H 27.5 in W 22.25 in D 1 in
Signed Art Deco lithograph by Erte, Manhattan Mary III, 1979
By Erté
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) (Russian, 1892 – 1990) Manhattan Mary III, 1979 Lithograph Signed ‘Erte’ in pencil (lower right) 27.1/2 x 22.1/4 in. (70 x 56....
Lithograph
