The Erté Legacy Collection

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The Erté Legacy Collection stands as the most comprehensive assembly of works by Romain de Tirtoff, universally celebrated as the Father of Art Deco. Privately held and preserved, it embodies the artist’s complete creative vision, uniting his mastery across fashion, stage, and costume design, as well as the decorative arts. More than a collection, it is a testament to Erté’s enduring influence and his role in shaping the elegance and innovation of 20th-century style.

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The Scope of the Collection

Meticulously assembled through the original publishing galleries, this collection represents the definitive private legacy of Erté’s sculptural and design achievements. It encompasses:

• 146 Bronze Sculptures – the world’s only complete privately held Erté bronze portfolio

• The Alphabet Suite (26 works) – a landmark series credited with reigniting international appreciation for Art Deco in the late 1960s

• The Numerals Suite (10 works) – a companion to the Alphabet, celebrated for its elegant symbolism and imaginative form

• 13 Objects d’Art – refined, smaller-scale works showcasing Erté’s mastery of design detail

• 10 Medallions – rare, double-sided bronze creations in quintessential Art Deco style

Each piece is preserved with original receipts and certificates of authenticity, affirming the provenance, completeness, and integrity of this unparalleled collection.

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Artistic and Cultural Significance

Erté’s work not only defined the essence of the Art Deco era but also sparked two major revivals that carried the movement into the modern age:

• 1960s-1970s – The Alphabet and Numerals suites reignited global fascination with Art Deco’s elegance, symmetry, and geometry.

• 1980s-1990s – His bronze sculptures reintroduced the style to a new generation, shaping trends in fashion, interior design, and the decorative arts.

Through these resurgences, Erté ensured that Art Deco remained not a period style of the past, but a living cultural force that continues to inspire innovation today.

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Preservation of a Legacy

The Erté Legacy Collection represents the devotion of a single collector who safeguarded the artist’s vision as a unified and enduring whole. By bringing together sculptures, suites, and design objects, it offers a singular opportunity to experience the full scope of Erté’s genius in one cohesive body of work.

⚜️ Both a living archive and a cultural treasure, the Erté Legacy Collection ranks among the most important private holdings of Art Deco masterworks in existence.

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Stewardship at North Beach Art Gallery

Today, the Erté Legacy Collection is represented by North Beach Art Gallery, where it is preserved and presented with the care of an institution committed to cultural heritage. Through exhibitions, research, and educational initiatives, the gallery serves as a steward of this rare collection, ensuring that Erté’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.