Erté

Erté (1892-1990), born Roman Petrovich Tyrtov in St. Petersburg, Russia, embodied the essence of Art Deco design through his sophisticated illustrations, costumes, and stage sets. After defying his aristocratic family’s wishes by moving to Paris in 1910 to pursue art, he established himself as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, most notably through his long-running collaboration with Harper’s Bazaar magazine beginning in 1915.

Erté’s creative vision extended to encompass jewelry design, theatrical costumes, and his internationally coveted figurines. His enduring influence is preserved in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.