"FLAMBOUYANCE, WIT, FANTASY, SENSUALITY, AND A PERVADING MINUTE ATTENTION TO DETAIL"

ERTE. Erté Sculpture. New York: E.P. Dutton, (1986). Folio, original wine red cloth, original acetate wrapper, original matching slipcase. $950.

Signed limited first edition of this retrospective of Erté’s bronze sculptures, recreations of “the remarkable designs of his youth,” number 1067 of 1250 copies signed by Erté, with full-page color photographs of his most famous pieces.

"The hallmarks of Erté's style—flambouyance, wit, fantasy, sensuality, and a pervading minute attention to detail—had formed by 1920; their roots and inspiration were as much a part of the belle époque as the famous 1925 Paris Exposition… Both chronologically and stylistically, Erté's mature style predates the Art Deco era with which he is now frequently associated" (Alastair Duncan). "The designs created by Erté during his long and illustrious life influenced not only the world of theatre, film and fashion, but an entire art movement as well… In 1915, he began an association with Harper's Bazaar by designing covers of each of their magazines for the next 22 years… Throughout this period, Erté also created original costume and fashion designs for many of the era's most renowned screen actresses, including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Anna Pavlova, and Norma Shearer. His creations for the stage included extravagant designs for productions at such venues as Radio City Music Hall and the Paris Opera, as well as for the Folies-Bergères and George White's Scandals. At the age of 75, Erté was encouraged to embark on a new career and began to recreate the remarkable designs of his youth in bronze [seen here] and serigraphy… A lifetime of international success and recognition has ensured this unique artist's place in the annals of art history" (Doubletake Gallery).

Fine condition, with only a few tiny spots to original slipcase.