California (Turquoise Dress)
Erte (Limited Editions on Paper)
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California (Turquoise Dress)
Erte (Limited Editions on Paper)
Issued By:
Make an Offer / Ask A Question
(You must be registered to submit an offer or ask a question. Please register HERE first)
Theatre Femina that Erté worked closely with Gaby Deslys, the greatest French music-hall star of her day. It was Madame Rasimi - the theater's founder - who discovered the young Romain de Tirtoff (Erté) and employed his talents for her theater's great benefit.
"Turquoise Dress" - the original title of the gouache - simply points to the obvious. The flowing turquoise trail cascades from the gown to create a wonderful sense of style and grace. As the primary splash of color in the design, turquoise sits in contrast to the dynamic black background of the print and the sparkling silver folds of the dress. To further the serigraph's composition, the figure is set against a geometric pattern of rectangles and squares, all deeply embossed and metal-foiled to create the perception of depth and drama.
One of the earliest costume designs by Erté, "Turquoise Dress" stood as a reflection of American culture - of riches and excess - and where, during this treasured time in the country's history, was that opulence most visible, but in California. As a result, when the silkscreen was published the name was expanded upon and became "California" (Turquoise Dress).
For Erté, "California (Turquoise Dress)" stands as a tribute to his creativity and love of theatrical design. There can be no doubt that his deepest ambition was to design for the stage. In the theater, the purpose was escapism and spectacle, which Erté synthesized in his designs through a contrast of detail and dreamlike fantasy. The early theatrical designs created by Erté are known today only through his surviving designs. The perfectionist manner, resulting from a complete mastery of technique, and the small scale precision of the compositions, express the true nature of the genius that is Erté.