Sagittarius
Limited edition print (lithograph or serigraph) on heavy wove paper • Attributed to Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) or in the distinctive stylistic manner of his astrological and mythological print portfolios
Style & Movement
Art Deco Revival / Fantasy Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography/serigraphy with fine dot patterning, flat color fields, and potential foil or metallic accent highlights
Creation Period
Late 20th century (circa 1970s-1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Vertical rectangular portrait format, approximately 24 x 36 inches (sheet size)
Subject Description
A mythological and astrological composition featuring the Sagittarius centaur constellation towering in a deep blue cosmic sky above a surreal landscape. A golden-haired figure draped in a star-patterned cape walks forward, holding a sword plunged into a jagged mountain peak, while a trail of stylized flames and cosmic energy emanates along the ground and across the skyscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The image area appears clean and vibrant with minimal fading, though the paper margins show some handling wear, light toning, and rippling/buckling at the corners.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Acquired from a private collection; bears a pencil signature and numbering in the lower margin indicating a limited edition run.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the late 20th-century commercial fine art market's fascination with fantasy art, astrology, and high-end decorative limited edition print portfolios popularized by master illustrators of the era.
Notable Features
Pencil numbering (appears to be part of a run out of 250) and a distinct signature in the lower right margin, alongside unique decorative corner flourishes extending from the printed composition into the margins.
Condition Issues
Paper buckling and minor creases at the extreme corners where it appears to be loosely held or mounted; slight yellowing of the surrounding mat board or margin paper.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-hinge the print using acid-free archival materials, replace the backing board and mat with conservation-grade materials, and frame behind UV-filtering acrylic or glass.