Porcelain Russian Princess

Roman Petrovich Tyrtov (pseudonym Erté, French: Erté; November 23 (December 4), 1892, St. Petersburg — April 21, 1990) Porcelain Russian Princess.

An original work by Erté - "Stardust" Porcelain. Fabric. Stones. Collector's condition. Certificates. Original box designed by Erté. On the box is a price tag from twenty years ago - 750 US dollars. Dimensions: 45cm x 25cm x 20cm.

Fashion designer, graphic artist, set designer. A representative of an ancient lineage tracing back to the Tatar khan Tyrt. Son of Pyotr Ivanovich Tyrtov, a hereditary naval officer, head of the Naval Engineering School. In 1900, visited the World Exhibition in Paris with his mother and sister. Was introduced to I. E. Repin and received his first painting lesson from him. In 1910, studied under the artist D. E. Losevsky. In 1912, after graduating from high school, he rejected the traditional military career for his family and, with his father's permission, left Russia. (In 1923, with the help of the Red Cross and American Relief Administration, he brought his parents out of the USSR.) Settling in Paris, he became a correspondent for the St. Petersburg magazine "Ladies' Fashions." Briefly attended the Académie Julian (class of historical painting under J.-P. Laurens), then studied independently. Adopted the pseudonym "Erté" (from the first letters of his first and last name) to avoid "disgracing" the family. In 1913, began working for the couturier Paul Poiret alongside artists Georges Zimora and Paul Iribe. Created his first works for the stage, including costumes for Mata Hari's performance "Minaret" at the "Renaissance" theater. With the outbreak of World War I, he moved to Monte Carlo. In 1915, signed a long-term contract with the American magazine "Harper's Bazaar," for which he designed over a hundred covers over the next 22 years. Also drew for American magazines "Vogue," "Cosmopolitan," "Women's Home Journal," "Delineator," for English magazines "The Sketch," "Illustrated London News," and Parisian magazines "Femina," "La Gazette du Bon Ton," and "Plaisir de France." From 1917–1927, designed sets and created costumes for the "Folies Bergère" music hall. In 1922, received an offer from S. P. Diaghilev to design P. I. Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty," but declined due to a more lucrative contract in the USA. From 1925, worked under contract with the Hollywood studio "Metro Goldwyn Mayer," collaborating with silent film stars Lillian Gish and Mae Murray. Executed sketches for sets and costumes for Broadway music halls and the Chicago Opera. Created costumes for Anna Pavlova's ballet numbers.

In 1927, designed numbers for Josephine Baker at the Paris music hall "Ba-ta-clan." In 1933, began a long-term collaboration with the Paris variety theater "Bal Tabarin." In the 1920s–1930s, developed fabric designs, created models of outerwear, footwear, and accessories in the Art Deco style; collaborated with leading American fashion salons. From 1929, acted as a reformer of men's fashion, advocating for men's right to wear brocade and velvet following 18th-century models. Held his first solo exhibitions in Brussels (Studio gallery, 1927) and Paris (Hôtel J. Charpentier, 1929). During World War II, remained in Paris. Created sets and costumes for performances at the "Lido" cabaret and operettas. In the 1940s–1950s, continued working in scenography: designed productions for the Paris variety theater "La Nouvelle Ève," collaborated with theaters in Paris, Chicago, New York, London, Marseille, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, and Beirut. Worked on sketches for accessories and jewelry for fashion magazines. In 1964, turned to sculpture, creating abstract (in his definition, "pictorial") forms. Worked in watercolor, gouache, ink, engaged in lithography, created posters, sketches for vases, furniture, mirrors, and other luxury items. Created graphic series "Numbers" and "Alphabet," designed playing cards. Continued collaboration with fashion magazines and work in theater.

Designed productions by Roland Petit featuring Renée Jeanmaire (Zizi). Developed the "unisex" style – matching costumes for men and women. In 1964, held a solo exhibition at the Paris gallery Ror Volmar; in 1967–1968 – exhibitions at the Grosvenor Gallery in London and the Metropolitan Museum in New York (all 170 items were acquired by the museum); in 1969–1973 – a series of solo exhibitions in Paris, Chicago, New York, Mexico City, Parma, Palermo, and Milan. During these years, his popularity grew due to a renewed interest in Art Deco. Limited-edition decorative art pieces were created based on his sketches; lithographs and postcards were published. Wrote a book of memoirs (published in 1975 in New York and London).

At the age of 97, executed his final work – sketches for sets, costumes, and a poster for the Broadway musical "Stardust." Died at the Cochin Hospital in Paris after a brief illness that began during a trip to Mauritius. Buried in the family tomb at the Boulogne Cemetery near Paris.