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Erté, Erté: My Life / My Art: An Autobiography, New York: E P Dutton, 1989. First edition.

240 pages, including 156 illustrations with 74 in color; hardbound with full black silk binding and with silver lettering on the spine. Issued without dust jacket. Errata slip laid in.
14 x 10.5 in (35.5 x 26.6 cm)

Copy 120 of a limited edition of 250 specially bound copies. Signed by Erté on the limitation page.

A very impressive production. A thorough examination of Erte's long career. Few artists have so effortlessly bridged the worlds of fashion, theater, and illustration as Erté (Romain de Tirtoff). A visionary of the Art Deco movement, his name is synonymous with opulence, refinement, and the delicate balance of fantasy and precision. Erté: My Life / My Art: An Autobiography, published in 1989 by E P Dutton, stands as a monument to his genius—not just an autobiography, but a masterpiece that encapsulates a lifetime of artistic evolution.

This rare, limited edition of just 250 copies, each signed and numbered by Erté himself, is a testament to his enduring influence. Bound in an edition as exquisite as his art, the book offers an intimate passage into the mind of a man who shaped the aesthetics of an era. His illustrations, drawn with the precision of an architect and the imagination of a poet, remain among the most celebrated visual expressions of modern elegance.

Through Erté’s own words, we experience his remarkable journey—from his Russian heritage to his Parisian triumphs and the global impact of his artistry. We witness the birth of his legendary designs for Harper’s Bazaar, his haute couture innovations, and his breathtaking theater and ballet sets that transported audiences into worlds of dreamlike grandeur. His reflections not only detail his creative process but also unveil his philosophy of beauty—where the human form, ornamentation, and movement converge into a singular harmony.

This collector’s edition is more than a book—it is an heirloom, an irreplaceable artifact that embodies the soul of an artist who redefined elegance. With impeccably reproduced illustrations, stunning compositions, and personal insights, it serves as both an inspiration and a historical document of one of the greatest artistic minds of the 20th century.

For the discerning collector, connoisseur of Art Deco, or lover of timeless beauty, Erté: My Life / My Art: An Autobiography is not just a publication—it is a celebration of artistic immortality and stands as a testament to Erté’s enduring legacy.