Emerald Night (from the Sophisticates Suite)
Original limited edition serigraph (silkscreen print) on heavy art paper • Romain de Tirtoff (known as Erte)
Style & Movement
Art Deco (specifically Art Deco Revival / Neo-Art Deco)
Medium & Technique
Serigraphy with hot-stamping and foil embossing; features metallic gold and silver inks and textured embossed patterns mimicking fur and fabric
Creation Period
Late 20th century (specifically circa 1989-1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 30 inches (framed); vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A highly stylized, elongated female figure dressed in an opulent, geometric-patterned floor-length cloak with fur trim. The composition utilizes the iconic 'diamond' motif and features a small koker-style hat. The aesthetic captures the elegance and theatrical fashion illustration for which the artist is famous.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good to Excellent; the ink saturation remains vibrant and the metallic foiling shows no significant oxidation
Estimated Market Value
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $3,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a gallery specializing in late 20th-century graphics or directly from a publisher such as Chalk & Vermilion during the artist's popular resurgence in the 1980s
Art Historical Significance
Erte was the 'Father of Art Deco,' and his late-career serigraphs redefined the print market in the 1980s. This piece represents his enduring influence on fashion, theater, and graphic design from the 1920s through the late 20th century.
Notable Features
Features the artist's distinctive signature and numbering (usually located in the bottom margin, obscured by the mat here) and a decorative Art Deco border motif in the upper right quadrant
Condition Issues
Minor potential for light acidity in the matting if not archival; no visible foxing, buckling, or fading in the current presentation
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of UV-filtering museum glass to prevent fading of the delicate pigments and keep away from direct heat sources