Erté Romain De Tirtoff, The Mirror, 1979, Mixed Media

Details

Description

An oval central composition presents an elegant female figure viewed from behind, gazing into a hand-held looking glass that reveals … Read more An oval central composition presents an elegant female figure viewed from behind, gazing into a hand-held looking glass that reveals her face. Characterised by crisp geometric lines and theatrical Art Deco sensibility, the design plays on repetition and reflection. Both the woman's coiffure and the mirror itself are crowned with fan-shaped, radiating headdresses picked out in russet and gold patterning, complemented by delicate stippled beadwork across the hairline and around the mirror frame. Combining colour lithography with serigraphy, the print uses subtle neutral tones of slate grey, soft cream, and blush alongside precise black outline work. Created in 1979, the edition was published by Circle Fine Art and is referenced on page 146 of the monograph 'Erté at 90'. The full release comprised a standard numbered edition of 300 impressions, along with 60 artist's proofs and 13 presentation proofs. The lower margin is inscribed in pencil with the limited edition number 259/300 towards the left edge and signed by Erté in graphite at the lower right. Accompanying paperwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity and an insurance appraisal issued by Park West Gallery in January 2004, detailing the registration number and technical specifications. About the Artist: Romain de Tirtoff, universally recognised by the pseudonym Erté from the French pronunciation of his initials, was born in 1892 in Saint Petersburg and died in 1990. A pre-eminent designer of the Art Deco era, his career spanned theatre design, couture illustration, and decorative arts. The late 1970s marked a prolific period in his printmaking career, during which he collaborated with leading ateliers to reproduce his classic graphic motifs through meticulous multi-colour printing processes. The print is presented within a dark grey mount enclosed by a wide linen-covered slip and a gilded inner bead. The substantial wooden moulding is carved with acanthus foliate scrolling and fluted borders finished in antique gold leaf. Glazed and ready for hanging, the frame measures 81 cm wide by 68 cm high, with the oval image area measuring approximately 34.3 cm high by 22.2 cm wide. See less