Myla by Erté

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 | Russian-French Myla Signed “Erté”(lower right) Inscribed "No. 5440 / Une Femme aux Bijoux / Myla" (en verso) Gouache on paper This captivating gouache on paper of a figure dressed in a striking blue gown and sumptuous jewels bears the title Myla. Erté likely designed this costume for a performance of the iconic 1912 French song Une femme aux bijoux, or "The Woman with Jewelry." Crafted by the collaborative efforts of Bénech and Dumont, the waltz achieved enduring acclaim in romantic settings across both French and English-speaking cultures. Erté's design for the full-length, high-collared dress radiates vivid shades of blue echoing sapphires and aquamarines, and adds a hint of sensuality with a lavish thigh-high slit accentuated by a jewel-adorned garter. Circling the model's waist is a fan-shaped cerulean blue belt, harmonizing with her long gloves. Paris emerged as a beacon of hope and rejuvenation following the upheaval of the First World War