Monday 6 October 2025

Erté 
Designs of the Art Deco Master
by Pamela Campbell-Johnston

Romain de Tirtoff (known more famously by his pseudonym, Erté) was a Russian-born, French artist and designer who became revered as the ‘Father of Art Deco’.

Erté shaped the design ethos of the era with his signature look of sleek lines, geometric patterns and stylised forms. His career spanned eight decades. More recently audiences have come to appreciate how Erte’s style and work has left a resounding mark on the art world.  Erté’s career included the graphic arts, costumes and set designs. One of his most iconic designs was his 1923 artwork ‘Symphony in Black’ featuring a tall, slender woman in the height of elegant fashion accompanied by an equally graceful and elegant dog. He died 35 years ago in 1990 at the grand age of 97.

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Pamela Campbell-Johnston

Pamela has an MA Hons in Art History at St Andrew's University. For over 30 years she has lectured to undergraduates, adult groups and Friends and Patrons of the Royal Academy where she conducts numerous guided tours, residential trips and gallery talks. Pamela specialises in Modern British Art and the Art Deco of the 1920s and 1930s. She's the curator of the art collection in Mayfair's Landsdowne Club. .  

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