The Moon and Cupid (La Lune et Cupidon)
Print on paper, likely a serigraph (silkscreen) or high-quality lithograph • Erte (Romain de Tirtoff); signature and title appear in graphite on the lower right margin
Style & Movement
Art Deco / Belle Époque Revival; characterized by stylized silhouettes and theatrical Rococo themes
Medium & Technique
Serigraphy with saturated flat color fields and stencil-like precision, characteristic of 20th-century graphic arts
Creation Period
Circa 1970s-1980s (based on style and framing) in the manner of early 20th-century Art Deco
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 24 x 18 inches (sight); Portrait format
Subject Description
A nocturnal scene featuring a man and woman in 18th-century masquerade or Rococo attire. The woman holds a smoking candle and a string, while the man holds a lantern. In the background, a silhouette of a Cupid statue stands against a dark blue sky with a crescent moon and a single star.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible rippling of the paper at the bottom margin near the signature area and possible minor foxing or light staining
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$500 - $900 USD
Provenance History
Likely purchased via a commercial gallery or art publisher such as Chalk & Vermilion; framed in a contemporary 20th-century black lacquer frame with a double mat
Art Historical Significance
Erte was the 'Father of Art Deco,' and his graphic works from the later 20th century revitalized the aesthetic for a modern audience, blending fashion illustration with theatrical stage design.
Notable Features
Features a hand-signed signature and title in pencil. The high-contrast color palette of deep navy and golden mustard is typical of Erte's later high-end print editions.
Condition Issues
Notable cockling/waving of the paper along the lower edge and right margin, suggesting possible exposure to humidity or improper mounting. Minor surface debris inside the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional re-mounting using acid-free materials and archival hinges to address paper waving; installation of UV-protective glass to prevent fading of the dark blue pigments.