Romain De Tirtoff (Erté) 1892-1990. Pen and ink fashion design drawing for Harpers Bazaar. Dated 2-X -1915. 15.3 by 24.5 cms. To mounted image. Signed lower left. Studio stamp to reverse. Provenance: with Grosvenor Gallery London. Private Collection UK.
A Wonderful early design by Erté.
In 1910 Romain De Tirtoff moved to Paris to pursue a career as a designer. Living with the Prince Nicolas Ouroussoff and assuming his pseudonym to avoid upsetting his family. He worked for Paul Poiret from 1913 to 1914 and In 1915, he secured his first substantial contract with Harpers Bazaar magazine, and thus launched an illustrious career that included designing costumes and stage sets. During this early period Erté designed costumes for the notorious Mata Hari. Between 1915 and 1937, Erté would go on to design over 200 covers for Harper's Bazaar.