Stylistic development
The retrospective mounted at the Galerie du Luxembourg in 1972 - the object of Lempicka's drawn out hesitations - provided occasion for a new, and, above all younger, generation to rediscover and admire Lempicka's oeuvre from the thirties. The extent of this show's success came as a surprise, and rewarded the artist with the feeling that her work was once again appreciated on the art market. Indeed, it became very much in demand, and many art lovers pressed her for more famous-titled works - such as "My Portrait" (B.115), "La belle Rafaëla" (B.87) - which would once again bear her renowned signature. Yielding to their pressure, she accepted to produce replicas of her most popular paintings. Unfortunately, she no longer had the same sure hand as forty or fifty years earlier, nor the same color perception that had lent a mauve cast to the originals: the copies she now created could in no way be taken for those originals. Meanwhile, for her own sake, she could be found - alone and in the silence of her studio - painting version after version of her venerated St. Anthony.
The retrospective mounted at the Galerie du Luxembourg in 1972 - the object of Lempicka's drawn out hesitations - provided occasion for a new, and, above all younger, generation to rediscover and admire Lempicka's oeuvre from the thirties. The extent of this show's success came as a surprise, and rewarded the artist with the feeling that her work was once again appreciated on the art market. Indeed, it became very much in demand, and many art lovers pressed her for more famous-titled works - such as "My Portrait" (B.115), "La belle Rafaëla" (B.87) - which would once again bear her renowned signature. Yielding to their pressure, she accepted to produce replicas of her most popular paintings. Unfortunately, she no longer had the same sure hand as forty or fifty years earlier, nor the same color perception that had lent a mauve cast to the originals: the copies she now created could in no way be taken for those originals. Meanwhile, for her own sake, she could be found - alone and in the silence of her studio - painting version after version of her venerated St. Anthony.
The Swans II
Capri
Venice
Street Corner
Graziella II
The Sleeping Girl (Kizette) II
Abstract Composition
Abstract composition
Portrait of a Little Girl III
The Two Girlfriends V
Suzanne Bathing IV
The Orange Turban V
The Orange Turban VI
The Orange Turban VII
The Orange Turban VIII
The Orange Turban IX
The Orange Turban X
The Orange Turban XI
The Breton Girl III
The Breton Girl IV
Wisdom III
Wisdom IV
Wisdom V
Young Lady with Gloves II
The Blue Hour IV
The Blue Hour V
Self-Portrait II
Self-Portrait III
La belle Rafaëla III
Saint Anthony II
Saint Antoine III
Saint Antoine IV
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The Swans II
B.410circa1960/1963Oil on canvas61 x 76,2 cm (24 x 30 in)LEMPICKA. (in a cartouche bottom right)(Les cygnes II)Collections1980 - Lempicka Estate - U.S.A.Auctions07/02/1996 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's Arcade "1529", # 201 $ 8 500 -
Capri
B.4731973Oil on canvas on cardboard19,5 x 14,5 cm (7 5/8 x 5 3/4 in)TL. (bottom left)(Capri)The following dedication can be read on the back of this painting: "A view from my window in Capri painted by me, love".Collections1990 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions15/05/1990 - NEW YORK. Christie's East “Denise-7013”, # 117 $ 6 800 -
Venice
B.474circa1973Oil on canvas81 x 53,5 cm (31 7/8 x 21 1/8 in)(Venise)Collections1980 - Lempicka Estate - U.S.A. -
Street Corner
B.475circa1973Oil on canvas41 x 27 cm (16 1/8 x 10 5/8 in)(Coin de rue)A street corner one might come across in every suburb of the world: a most atypical subject for this artist.Collections1980 - Lempicka Estate - U.S.A. -
Graziella II
B.476circa1975Oil on canvas26,5 x 19,5 cm (10 3/8 x 7 5/8 in)LEMPICKA. (bottom right)(Graziella II)Collections1980 - Private collection - Mexico
1985 - Private collection - Mexico -
The Sleeping Girl (Kizette) II
B.477circa1975Oil on canvas38 x 48 cm (15 x 18 7/8 in)LEMPICKA. (top right)(La dormeuse (Kizette) II)Collections1981 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions02/04/1981 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's “4570M”, # 125 $ 6 000 -
Abstract Composition
B.4781976Oil on canvas38,1 x 50,8 cm (15 x 20 in)LEMPICKA (bottom right)(Fruits dans une coupe IV)For this painting, Sotheby's of New York specified, in their 12 February 1987 auction catalog: "inscribed and signed on the recirca e 'A Painting by T. Lempicka / Painted in 1976' ".Collections1987 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions12/02/1987 - NEW YORK. Christie's “Cyanne-6328”, # 144 $ 0 -
Abstract composition
B.4791977Oil on canvas61 x 46 cm (24 x 18 1/8 in)(Composition abstraite)1977 is inscribed on the back of the painting.Collections1980 - Fundacion Victor Manuel Contreras - MexicoHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen. -
Portrait of a Little Girl III
B.481circa1972Oil on canvas25,5 x 20,5 cm (10 x 8 1/8 in)(Portrait de petite fille III)Collections1990 - Private collection - FranceAuctions14/11/1989 - NEW YORK. Christie's East“Viking -6909”, # 216 $ 9 200
02/07/1990 - PARIS. Loudmer, # 168 $ 0
08/04/1990 - circa AILLES. Perrin, R., L. Hôt. des C-L, # 71 $ 0 -
The Two Girlfriends V
B.489circa1974Oil on canvas67,5 x 38 cm (26 5/8 x 15 in)T.LEMPICKA. (in a cartouche bottom right)(Les deux amies V)Collections1990 - Private collection - U.S.A. -
Suzanne Bathing IV
B.492circa1974Oil on canvas81 x 54 cm (31 7/8 x 21 1/4 in)(Suzanne au bain IV)Collections1994 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions30/10/1993 - STUTTGART. Nagel Kunstauktionen”3”, # 138 $ 35 200
07/12/1990 - PARIS. Loudmer, # 175 $ 19 900
29/06/1992 - LONDON. Christie's “Mod-4693”, # 127 $ 17 500
10/11/1994 - NEW YORK. Christie's "Stacey-8028", # 308 $ 60 000 -
The Orange Turban V
B.494circa1972Oil on canvas41 x 33 cm (16 1/8 x 13 in)(Le turban orange V)Collections1980 - Private collection - FranceHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen.Auctions23/03/1997 - MONT ST MICHEL. Robin, Fattori, Fatton, # 105 $ 9 123 -
The Orange Turban VI
B.4951974Oil on canvas27 x 22 cm (10 5/8 x 8 5/8 in)(Le turban orange VI)A certificate by Kizette de Lempicka specifies: "...painted in 1974 at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco".Collections1992 - Private collection - ItalyAuctions07/10/1989 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's Arcade ”1296”, # 114A $ 0
04/02/1990 - PARIS. Cornette de St C. Drouot Montaigne, # 67 $ 0
13/12/1989 - LYON. J-C Anaf, # 376 $ 0
25/05/1992 - ROME. Christie's “Sarah-2233”, # 48 $ 11 100 -
The Orange Turban VII
B.4961974Oil on canvas35 x 27 cm (13 3/4 x 10 5/8 in)(Le turban orange VII)A second replica which, according to Kizette de Lempicka, was painted during the artist's stay at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, in the summer of 1974.Collections1990 - Private collection - FranceAuctions21/02/1990 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's Arcade ”1309”, # 117 $ 9 250
12/07/1990 - PARIS. Cornette de St C. Drouot Montaigne, # 49 $ 15 900
13/05/1990 - PARIS. Kohn, # 47 $ 0 -
The Orange Turban VIII
B.497circa1976Oil on canvas24 x 22 cm (9 1/2 x 8 5/8 in)T.LEMPICKA (top right)(Le turban orange VIII)Collections1978 - Robert Brady Foundation, Cuernavaca - Mexico -
The Orange Turban IX
B.498circa1976/1979Oil on canvas24 x 19 cm (9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in)(Le turban orange IX)Collections1980 - Lempicka Estate - U.S.A. -
The Orange Turban X
B.499circa1976/1979Oil on canvas28 x 23 cm (11 x 9 in)(Le turban orange X)Collections1994 - Private collection - U.S.A. -
The Orange Turban XI
B.500circa1976/1979Oil on canvas35,5 x 33 cm (14 x 13 in)LEMPICKA. (top right)(Le turban orange XI)Collections1980 - Private collection - France -
The Breton Girl III
B.502circa1972Oil on canvas35 x 30 cm (13 3/4 x 11 3/4 in)T.LEMPICKA (in a cartouche bottom left)(La Bretonne III)Collections1980 - Fundacion Victor Manuel Contreras - MexicoHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen. -
The Breton Girl IV
B.503circa1974/1979Oil on canvas41 x 33 cm (16 1/8 x 13 in)(La Bretonne IV)Collections1975 - Private collection - FranceAuctions23/03/1997 - MONT ST MICHEL. Robin, Fattori, Fatton, # 105 $ 9 123 -
Wisdom III
B.505circa1972Oil on canvas55 x 38 cm (21 5/8 x 15 in)LEMPICKA. (in a cartouche bottom right)(La Sagesse III)Collections1980 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions11/12/1980 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's “4496M”, # 37 $ 2 500 -
Wisdom IV
B.506circa1974Oil on canvas55 x 38 cm (21 5/8 x 15 in)(La Sagesse IV)Collections1990 - Private collection - FranceAuctions22/11/1988 - NEUILLY. Ionesco. Théatre de Neuilly, # 230 $ 29 170
06/05/1990 - ARLES. F. Holz, # ? $ 67 700
08/10/1989 - PARIS. Loudmer, # 238Bis $ 35 900 -
Wisdom V
B.507circa1974/1979Oil on canvas65 x 46 cm (25 5/8 x 18 1/8 in)LEMPICKA. (in a cartouche bottom right)(La Sagesse V)Collections1980 - Fundacion Victor Manuel Contreras - MexicoHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen. -
Young Lady with Gloves II
B.5081977Oil on canvasLEMPICKA. (in a cartouche bottom right)(Jeune fille aux gants II) -
The Blue Hour IV
B.5111974Oil on canvas81 x 54 cm (31 7/8 x 21 1/4 in)T.DE LEMPICKA. (artist's stamp bottom left)(L'heure bleue IV)Dans un certificat, Kizette de Lempicka précise:"Painted in the summer of 1974 at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco".Collections1989 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions06/10/1989 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's “Mallomar”, # 166 $ 37 500 -
The Blue Hour V
B.512circa1975Oil on canvas73 x 50 cm (28 3/4 x 19 5/8 in)(empty cartouche top left)(L'heure bleue V)Collections1992 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions28/02/1992 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's Arcade “1388”, # 125 $ 13 000 -
Self-Portrait II
B.513circa1974/1979Oil on canvas35,5 x 28 cm (14 x 11 in)(Autoportrait II)Collections1992 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions16/02/1989 - NEW YORK. Christie's “Vicki-6762”, # 76 $ 42 000 -
Self-Portrait III
B.514circa1974/1979Oil on canvas48,5 x 38 cm (19 1/8 x 15 in)T.LEMPICKA (in a cartouche bottom right)(Autoportrait III)Collections1975 - Private collection - MexicoHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen. -
La belle Rafaëla III
B.5171979/1980Oil on canvas53,3 x 76,2 cm (21 x 30 in)(La belle Rafaela III)Lempicka's last friend and confidant, Victor Contreras, commented in writing on the back of the photo of this painting: "Last painting, unfinished, remaining on her easel in her room at Tres Bambus".Collections1980 - Fundacion Victor Manuel Contreras - MexicoHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen. -
Saint Anthony II
B.5181974/1979Oil on canvas40,5 x 30,5 cm (16 x 12 in)LEMPICKA. (bottom left)(Saint Antoine II)Lempicka donated this painting to a religious brotherhood, who put it up for sale directly upon receiving the news of her death. So much for that votive offering!Collections1980 - Private collection - U.S.A.Auctions19/06/1980 - NEW YORK. Sotheby's “4398”, # 57 $ 1 900 -
Saint Antoine III
B.5191979Oil on canvas45 x 35 cm (17 3/4 x 13 3/4 in)(Saint Antoine III)During her last year of life, Lempicka painted several replicas of her venerated Saint Anthony (of Padua); this repetitive approach came to mean an insistent request for intercession. The manner in which she confided her soul to God, through painting rather than prayer, testifies to her attachment to images and icons, to the many meanings of portrait art. In a letter dated "Cuernavaca, 4 April 1981", Kizette de Lempicka claims that the present replica was sitting on the artist's easel on the day of her death.Collections1981 - Private collection - MexicoHistoryRetirement at CUERNAVACA, Addresses: Excerpt taken from Casas e Gente (Houses and People), no. 33, 1989: "Tamara had been coming to Cuernavaca for years before she finally, in 1978, bought Tres Bambus, a beautiful home built by the architect Ignacio Landa for Barbara Hutton." The article is illustrated by numerous photos, including views of the studio where Lempicka's last unfinished replicas are to be seen. -
Saint Antoine IV
B.5201979/1980Oil on canvas61 x 45,7 cm (24 x 18 in)(Saint Antoine IV)According to Victor Contreras, this "is the last painting by Tamara de Lempicka". This one or the one before, no matter. The important thing is that, on the day before her death, Lempicka was still adding a few touchups to the two images that obsessed her: the beautiful (and seductive) Rafaëla and, right next to it, the ascetic saint whose features are those of her soul doctor (see her "Psychiatrist" in the Repertory).Collections1980 - Fundacion Victor Manuel Contreras - MexicoHistoryLempicka's PSYCHIATRIST, Biography, Psychology: There was a staff psychiatrist at the thermal spa of Bircher-Binner in Zurich, where Lempicka frequently stayed starting in 1934. Strangely enough, Lempicka's portrait of him resembles Saint Anthony (see Passion by Design, The Art and times of Tamara de Lempicka, op. cit. p.125). She would subsequently make several copies of this portrait, as if obsessed by this ascetic figure.