Erté, the extraordinary artist, is surrounded by fascinating facts that highlight the depth and breadth of his career. For starters, Erté was not his given name; rather, it was a pseudonym derived from the French pronunciation of his initials, R.T. (Roman de Tirtoff). This clever choice allowed him to establish a distinct artistic identity and set himself apart from his aristocratic background. What's truly remarkable about Erté is the longevity of his career, spanning nearly eight decades from the early 20th century to the 1980s.