Broadway's in Fashion

"Broadway's in Fashion" is a bronze sculpture by Erté. From the edition of 462, the bronze is stamped with the artists signature. The sculptures dimensions are 24 x 15 x 6" and the sculpture ships accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Erté, considered by many as the “Father of Art Deco,” often acknowledged that his love for the theater was a great source of creativity and inspiration. He conveyed in his art a drama with which he lived his life – a dream that came from the very innermost expression of his soul. Just like theater has two faces - comedy and tragedy - Erté was a brilliant showman, as well as a quiet man who sometimes would prefer to be left alone. From a young age, he was immersed in the world of opera, ballet, and theater. When he designed costumes and sets for theatrical productions, it was a lifelong desire that he was fulfilling.

“Broadway’s in Fashion” is a fitting tribute to the legendary Broadway from a man who pursued the theatrical in everything he did. In 1978, Erté was honored by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation at a gala celebration in New York entitled “Broadway’s in Fashion” for which Erté designed the poster. This led to a CBS-TV film on Erté narrated by the legendary Diana Vreeland, and an exhibition of his costume designs at the Boston Center of the Arts. This sculpture, in scarlet and black, with white gold embellishments, incorporates the elements for which Broadway is best known. Her elegant and confident posture reveals her costume, which is itself an homage to Broadway – the scarlet robe with gold tassels evokes the stage curtain as it rises to reveal the first act, the male and female dancers, energetically giving their all for each performance, and the Greek masks of comedy and tragedy, the universal symbols of the theater. Her dramatically cut gown is reminiscent of the elaborate stage shows of the past, such as the Ziegfield Follies (for which Erté designed many costumes), and her headpiece lends a regal air, symbolizing the “crowing achievement” that Broadway represents for those who believe that dreams do come true. The base of the sculpture, representing the stage, gives the finishing touch to the theatrical effect.

The bronze sculpture/casting medium and process is, and has always played, a fascinating part in the history of art, admired by civilization for thousands of years and continuously developed with modern technology. Erté sculpture exemplifies the timeless beauty of this intriguing art form and manifests the artist’s personal unique flair in every bronze creation.