Russian illustrator Erté, born Romain de Tirtoff (who got his pseudonym from the french pronunciation of his initials, R.T.), has an incredible body of work spanning the 1900s. He continued producing work almost until his death in 1990, aged just short of 100. I was reminded of his meticulously detailed gouaches and serigraphs earlier today, when I was looking through a book on advertising history I bought at a flea market. His February 1918 Harper’s Bazaar cover (then spelled Bazar, apparently) which I can’t find anywhere and promise I will scan soon got me looking through a lot of his illustrations…
(Above Left) French Rooster, 1982. (Above Right) Stranded, 1983.
(Above Left) Ocean de Lumiere, 1982. (Above Right) Bracelets, year unbeknownst to me.
(Above Left) Love’s Captive, 1982. (Above Right) Melisande & Golaud, year also unknown to me.
And, in honor of Fashion Verbatim, (Below Left) Letter F, 1976; (Below Middle) Fringed Gown, 1986; (Below Left) Letter V, 1976.
images: Chalk & Vermilion, RoGallery
