Richard Dick Sargent

Picking Poindexter Saturday Evening Post cover, October 17, 1959

circa 1959

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French L'Aurore boréale(The Aurora Borealis) Signed "Erté" (lower right) Inscribed ---- (en verso) Gouache on paper In this colorful gouache, Erté draws an enticing and unique fashion design on his model's elegantly elongated figure. Crowned by an elaborate headdress, the woman wears a daring gauzy caftan that drapes dangerously low, celebrating her nude form. EntitledL'Aurore Boréale" or The Aurora Borealis, this work embodies the Art Deco glamour for which the artist's designs are so beloved. This ensemble was inspired by Les Fleurs du mal, the famed volume of poems from iconic French writer Charles Baudelaire. As the name suggests, this creative design links the celebrated "fleur" orchids with one of nature's other great marvels, the Aurora Borealis. This refined piece of art radiates the essential luxury and theatricality that could only be accomplished by Erté, oft referred to as the "Father of Art Deco." First published in 1857, Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du mal was controversial for its suggestive content and themes of decadence and eroticism. The volume provided a wealth of inspiration for Erté and he drew from several themes to create original fashion sketches...

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French Les travestis (The Transvestites) Signed “Erté” (lower right) Inscribed "No. 18.363 / Moi, j'aime le music-hall / Les Travestis" (en verso) Gouache on paper Erté’s costume...

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French Mistinguett Signed "Erté" (lower right) Stamped "Composition originale" (en verso) Gouache on paper Erté designed this costume fo...

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French La dionée dite Gobe-mouches(Venus Flytrap) Signed "Erté" (lower right) Inscribed ---- (en verso) Gouache on paper Daring and mysterious, this original gouache from the creative mind of Erté features the sinuous figure of a woman wearing a unique ebony and sanguine body suit with a dramatic wing-like cape. Entitled La dionée dite Gobe-mouches or Venus Flytrap, this work embodies the Art Deco glamour and tongue-in-cheek artistry for which the artist's designs are so beloved. Inspired by the famed volume of poems from iconic French writer Charles Baudelaire, this ensemble showcases Erté's sartorial interpretation of La Vampire from Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du mal. This elegant composition exudes the quintessential opulence and drama that only Erté, the oft-called "Father of Art Deco," could achieve. La dionée dite Gobe-mouches showcases the breadth of Erté's creativity and his design expertise. First published in 1857, Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du mal was controversial for its suggestive content and themes of decadence and eroticism. The volume provided a wealth of inspiration for Erté and he drew from several specific poems to create original fashion sketches...