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Erte
This luxuriously illustrated volume contains a rich and representative selection of images, drawn from throughout Erte's long and extraordinarily productive career. A detailed introduction to the artist's life and work is complemented by over 100 exquisite full-colour plates, which pay tribute to a "miraculous magician". Erte is a book to treasure.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 23, 2022
A handsome book with a brief (but quite sufficient) introductory biography followed by over a hundred full-colour plates of Ertes design works covering almost his entire lengthy career. If you care for the work of Leon Bakst then you will certainly like Erte as many of the designs are almost interchangeable between the two designers down to the rather campy style of expressions on the faces of the actors.
Ertes designs are sensuous and tastefully colourful, the extensive use of metallic inks give them an expensive allure and one can imagine that they must look wonderful on stage.
But, but, but, they are not for me as they are a little too easy on the eye and I prefer something with a little more edge to it. Etre appears to move in similar social and work circles to Etienne Drian, both contributed to Harper’s Bazaar and illustrated the fashion designs of Paul Pouret but the Drian’s work has a distinctly more modern feel compared to Ertes more languid look.
A couple of the drawings and extra-ordinary photo of the artist fully glammed up in swirling swansdown reminded me of Alastair Henning (a long-time favourite artist of mine) and I wonder if the latter perhaps took a little inspiration from him, but Erte's figures seem in robust good health compared the more angular scary-skinny doom-laden denizens of Alastair’s world. This is perhaps a little unfair, after all Erte was designing for the stage and thus an audience whereas one senses that Alastair was his own audience.
Still, one cannot grumble too much. Those looking for a reasonable introduction to Ertes world (in every sense as this volume is available at bargain-basement prices) will find much of interest in it. Those seeking stronger meat might have to look elsewhere.
Ertes designs are sensuous and tastefully colourful, the extensive use of metallic inks give them an expensive allure and one can imagine that they must look wonderful on stage.
But, but, but, they are not for me as they are a little too easy on the eye and I prefer something with a little more edge to it. Etre appears to move in similar social and work circles to Etienne Drian, both contributed to Harper’s Bazaar and illustrated the fashion designs of Paul Pouret but the Drian’s work has a distinctly more modern feel compared to Ertes more languid look.
A couple of the drawings and extra-ordinary photo of the artist fully glammed up in swirling swansdown reminded me of Alastair Henning (a long-time favourite artist of mine) and I wonder if the latter perhaps took a little inspiration from him, but Erte's figures seem in robust good health compared the more angular scary-skinny doom-laden denizens of Alastair’s world. This is perhaps a little unfair, after all Erte was designing for the stage and thus an audience whereas one senses that Alastair was his own audience.
Still, one cannot grumble too much. Those looking for a reasonable introduction to Ertes world (in every sense as this volume is available at bargain-basement prices) will find much of interest in it. Those seeking stronger meat might have to look elsewhere.
December 31, 2020
Gorgeous artwork!
January 27, 2023
I give this a five for the drop-dead gorgeous plates of Erte's work. The actual text is merely adequate. Definitely a must read for anyone who loves art, the 20s, theatre, or fashion.
September 1, 2012
Quite a good book on the work of Erte.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews