The work of Erté (Romain de Tirtoff), the popular fashion
illustrator of the 1920’s and 30’s, had a particular relevance to me because of
the pattern-like quality of his illustrations. He has a particular way of using
shape and layout to frame his work that makes it appear almost as a section of
a repeat pattern. Much of his work has a geometric feel to it, though in actual
fact, he rarely uses such simple shapes, and this I feel adds to its pattern
quality.
In addition to this, his work often shows in great detail
the embellishment, decoration and print of the garments he illustrates, often
so much so that these elements become the main focus of the illustration. I find his work very visually inspiring for
both this attention to pattern and for his use of colour. There is a narrative
to all of his work, though it was used for depiction of clothing, rather than
narrative illustration. Looking at his work made me consider how illustration
can be used to create pattern.
