Le tumulte du jazz by Erté

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)
1892-1990 | Russian-French

Le tumulte du jazz

Signed “Erté” (lower right)
Inscribed "No. 4.494 / Tumultes / Le Tumulte du Jazz"(en verso)
Gouache on paper

Erté designed this exceptionally moody set as an ode to jazz for Roland Petit’s show Tumultes. Jazz’s energetic rhythms, improvisational nature and evocative melodies quickly became the music of the times and the ever-present rhythm of Parisian nightlife in the early 20th century. Erté renders the surrealist scene in monochromatic shades of black and white, evoking the feeling of sitting in one of the city’s famous jazz clubs after dark.

Paris in the Art Deco era stood at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, establishing itself as a global epicenter of art, literature, and intellectual thought. Amidst the echoes of World War I, the city became a vibrant tapestry where avant-garde movements like Surrealism and Cubism intermingled with the rhythmic beats of jazz and the allure of cinema. Intellectuals, writers and artists from around the world, drawn to the city’s cosmopolitan allure, transformed its cafes, salons and studios into dynamic spaces of creativity and discourse. The era witnessed Parisian culture boldly redefining itself, pushing boundaries and shaping modern sensibilities that would resonate throughout the 20th century and beyond. Erté, with his groundbreaking costuming and otherworldly sets, was perfectly poised to unleash his creativity.

Russian-French visionary Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990), popularly known as Erté, began his artistic journey in the culturally rich city of St. Petersburg, where he developed an early fondness for ballet and theatrical performances. He moved to Paris in 1912 to study architecture, and quickly found his creative niche in crafting fantastical costumes for the city’s bustling nightlife. Erté‘s expertise, refined under the guidance of the famed Paul Poiret, captured the attention of Harper’s Bazaar, marking the beginning of a significant partnership that spanned from 1915 to 1936. The artist also designed sets for notable cinematic masterpieces including Ben Hur and La Bohème, and created sets and costumes for cabarets, operas and other performances at the Folies-Bergères, Bal Tabarin, the Théâtre du Bataclan and Le Casino de Paris. Often remembered as the “Father of Art Deco,” Erté was a trailblazer whose colorful creations shaped the groundbreaking Art Deco era more than any other, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art and design. His artworks reside in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

Painted 1938

Paper: 11” high x 7 1/2” wide
Frame: 17 1/8" high x 14" wide x 5/8" deep

Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté and the Era of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024

Provenance:
Erté’s collection, Boulogne 1990
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans