Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990), who changed his name to Erté (?R? and ?T? in French) when he left his native St Petersburg for Paris in 1912, became one of the most sought-after artists of the twentieth century. His illustrations for Harper?s Bazaar and Vogue remain classics of the genre, while his work as stage, costume and fashion designer in Europe and America combined an eye for fashion and elegance with a sense of theatricality. In the early days Erté worked closely with the couturier Paul Poiret, before producing numerous designs for the revues and shows that were so popular at the time, as well as for film with his work for MGM. Mata Hari, Lillian Gish, Anna Pavlova and George Balanchine were just some of those whose costumes were designed by Erté. 0Just over a hundred years after the twenty-year-old Erté left St Petersburg, his work returned to the city of his birth, with an exhibition at the Hermitage. This book is a record of that unique event, charting Erté?s extraordinary career and confirming him as a true genius of Art Deco. With text by the son of Erté?s long-term collectors, Michael Estorick, and Hermitage curator Mikhail Dedinkin. 00Exhibition: Grosvenor Gallery, London, UK (15.11.- 15.12.2017).