Romain De Tirtoff Erte New York/ Russia / France (1892-1990) Mary Garden, 144/300 Serigraph Signed lower right, numbered lower left, titled verso. From AskArt: Russian lithographer and serigrapher Erté was born in 1892, Romain de Tiroff in St. Petersburg, Russia. At the age of eighteen he persuaded his parents that his artistic future was in Paris. Since then, France has been his home. He adopted the name "Erté" from the French pronunciation of his Russian initials and entered the Parisian fashion world via Paul Poiret, one of the great couturiers of the time. By 1915, Erté had signed with Harper's Bazaar to create the "Scherazade" cover and thus began his twenty-two year relationship with the magazine. The early 1920's saw his fashion influence everywhere. He was sought after by the chic, wealthy and beautiful. At the same time he was creating stunning sets for "Folies-Bergere," "Ziegfield Follies," George White's "Scandals," "The Lido," and "Moulin Rouge", as well as designing costumes in Hollywood for MGM Studios. His contribution to the art and culture of the Twenties was honored in Les Annees 25 exhibition at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 1966. This was held in commemoration of the 1925 exhibit which presented the emergence of a new concept in fashion design and decorative art. Erté's lithographs and serigraphs have been the occupation of recent years. In 1978 the Circle Gallery published "The Twenties Remembered, Again" on the occasion of his 86th birthday. A retrospective show was fully exhibited in two New York galleries. His largest collection, containing 200 pieces is permanently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In 1976 the artist was awarded the title of "Officer of Arts and Letters" by the French government. A documentary film of his life, "Erté-Or a Magician in the 20th Century" was released in 1979. 46 1/4"H x 36 1/4"W (frame)