About the Work
"Copacabana" is Erté’s mastery of fantasy, splendor, and femininity, all in the name of Haute Couture and Art Deco. The model is an exotic woman, slender in her youth and towering with perfection. She is a stunning vision that fascinates and tantalizes with theatrical effect.The willowy beauty dons a fantastic evening gown. The gown is noted for its luxuriant richness and design. Softened contours create the folds in the drapery, forming a magnificent train of bows that seductively begins around her breasts and neck, framing her head and continues down behind her. The bows are delicately illuminated with white gold leaf and pastel colors indicative of Art Deco. Her gloved hands flex gracefully as she strikes a pose.
Her facial features are stylized and refined with almond-shaped eyes, high cheekbones and lips halted in a kiss reminiscent of Erté’s Asian influence. Her dark, bronze skin exudes gratifying warmth. She radiates a luminous spirit as she poses with statuesque grace. "Copacabana" is a 19 x 11 x 6 - inches bronze sculpture.
About the Artist
Erté was born Romain de Tirtoff in St. Petersburg, Russia on November 23rd, 1892 and was raised amidst Russia's social elite. At the age of five he created an evening gown for his mother and managed to persuade the adults to craft it, they were astounded by the results. In 1912, Romain left St. Petersburg for Paris at the age of nineteen with the aim of becoming an artist. After working with Paul " Le Magnifique" Poiret on several theatrical productions Romain, still under the pseudonym of Erte, began to work more independently. He hand-crafted original costume and fashion designs for many of the era’s most renowned actresses, including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Anna Pavlova, Norma Shearer, and others. His masterpieces for the stage included extravagant production designs at venues such as New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the Casino de Paris, and the Paris Opera. In 1915 he began his long professional relationship with Harper's Bazaar and created 240 covers for the esteemed magazine. For 6 months in 1916, Erté simultaneously worked with Vogue as well. As a result of his highly publicized success, Erté would later be called the father of the ‘Art Deco’ movement.
