Erte Artwork Appraisal

Erte Hand-Colored Print 'Sandy'

This item is a hand-colored print on card stock, featuring an Art Deco-inspired female figure. The central image is glued or mounted onto a larger, maroon-colored card stock backing, which serves as a mat or frame. The primary artwork depicts a woman from the chest up, characterized by a stylized profile with a delicate facial structure, prominent eyes with elongated lashes, subtly rouged cheeks, and defined lips. She wears an elaborate wide-brimmed hat adorned with intricate patterns and what appears to be a crown-like structure and possibly feathers or other decorative elements. The hat's design is typical of the Art Deco period, with its geometric yet flowing lines. Behind her head, a circular motif filled with small, scattered floral designs in shades of pink and purple creates a halo-like effect. The line work is primarily black ink, with delicate hand-coloring adding minimal accents in light blue, pink, and purple. The word 'SANDY' is prominently displayed in stylized, embellished red lettering on the left side of the figure's body. Below 'SANDY' and to the lower left of the figure, there's an abstract design incorporating a red ribbon or tassel element. The artist's signature, 'Erte', is clearly visible in elegant script in the lower right corner of the print itself. The card stock on which the print is rendered has a light, possibly off-white or cream color, with a visible texture that suggests a natural fiber or a paper with some tooth. There are no visible condition issues on the print itself, such as tears, creases, or significant discoloration. The maroon backing card shows minor wear, particularly visible at the upper left corner where a slight bend or scuff is present, and some general edge wear can be inferred along the perimeter. The overall presentation suggests a well-preserved piece, indicative of careful handling. Given the artist's signature, 'Erte', and the stylistic elements, the piece firmly belongs to the Art Deco period, likely from the early to mid-20th century.