Homme de la suite d'Aladin by Erté

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)
1892-1990 | Russian-French

Homme de la suite d'Aladin, cortège nuptial (Man from Aladdin's entourage, wedding procession)

Inscribed “n°1.513 / Aladin / Homme de la suite d'Aladin / (Cortège Nuptial)” (en verso)
Gouache on paper

Erté designed exquisite sets and costumes for the 1929 theatrical production of Aladin, drawing rich inspiration from the mesmerizing tales of the Arabian Nights. Performed at the illustrious Folies Bergère, the endeavor married Erté's distinctive artistic flair with his interest in Eastern narratives and artistic traditions. Entitled Homme de la suite d'Aladin, this exquisite gouache on paper showcases a standout costume. The figure, draped in a resplendent gold and blue robe adorned with cascading sleeves, sports an long mustache and beard. His unique horn-like headpiece elevates the sage's aura of wisdom and importance. Embodying the Art Deco era's signature bold patterns and opulent flair, the design stands as a testament to the genius of Erté, the oft-called "Father of Art Deco."

Thanks to the breadth of the artist’s cultural experiences in his youth, Erté’s visionary Art Deco style looked to both the glory of the ancient world and the allure of Eastern artistic traditions. Erté melded the iconic motifs of ancient Greece and Rome with modern sensuality and style in his costuming and set design, particularly for the performances of ancient tales like Helen of Sparta and Hercules. The artist also prominently showcased Asian-inspired designs and a growing appreciation for non-Western aesthetics. The allure of the so-called "Orient" found resonance within the geometric precision emblematic of the Art Deco style, as stories like Aladin were reinterpreted for French audiences.

Russian-French visionary Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990), popularly known as Erté, began his artistic journey in the culturally rich city of St. Petersburg, where he developed an early fondness for ballet and theatrical performances. He moved to Paris in 1912 to study architecture, and quickly found his creative niche in crafting fantastical costumes for the city’s bustling nightlife. Erté‘s expertise, refined under the guidance of the famed Paul Poiret, captured the attention of Harper’s Bazaar, marking the beginning of a significant partnership that spanned from 1915 to 1936. The artist also designed sets for notable cinematic masterpieces including Ben Hur and La Bohème, and created sets and costumes for cabarets, operas and other performances at the Folies-Bergères, Bal Tabarin, the Théâtre du Bataclan and Le Casino de Paris. Often remembered as the “Father of Art Deco,” Erté was a trailblazer whose colorful creations shaped the groundbreaking Art Deco era more than any other, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art and design. His artworks reside in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

Painted 1929

Paper: 11 1/8“ high x 9” wide
Frame: 17 1/4“ high x 14 1/8” wide x 5/8" deep

Provenance:
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans