Princesse by Erté

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 | Russian-French Princesse Inscribed “Aladin / Princesse / n°1.509” (en verso) Gouache on paper Erté embarked on a project to design the stage and costumes for a production Aladin, reinterpreting tales from the iconic Arabian Nights for the Parisian stage. Performed at the famed Folies Bergère in 1929, this production marked a convergence of Erté's vision with Eastern artistic influences. Entitled Princesse, this costume design features a figure draped in a majestic light blue dress, adorned with shimmering white gemstones and highlighted with gold fabric tufts in the skirt. The bodice, with its sheer netting and cascading gem tassels, exudes an enticing and sensual allure. The princess' towering hairpiece, embellished with spiraling golden designs, adds a final opulent touch. This portrayal of an archetypal Eastern princess is a testament the Orientalist fascinations of Erté, the oft-called "Father of Art Deco." Paris witnessed a remarkable cultu