Tamara de Lempicka’s Young Woman in Green, painted between 1927 and 1930, stands as a hallmark of the renowned Art Deco artist, whose work has experienced a revival in popularity in recent decades.
The Polish painter’s vividly colored, sculptural portraits of glamorous women, characterized by their striking red lips, solidified her status as an Art Deco icon posthumously. Her subjects often appear both stunning and introspective, evoking a sense of yearning as they pose against urban backdrops or while driving, their flowing scarves and elegant gowns caught in the breeze.
Despite never achieving lasting critical acclaim during her lifetime—she passed away in 1980—Lempicka’s works have become highly sought after by prominent collectors, including Barbra Streisand and Madonna. Notably, Madonna showcased some of Lempicka’s pieces during her “Celebration” tour last year. The market for Lempicka’s art has surged, exemplified by a record-breaking auction in 2020, where a painting of cabaret singer Marjorie Ferri sold for £16.3 million ($21.3 million). A century after her career peaked, Lempicka’s life and oeuvre continue to captivate the art community.
In the United States, Lempicka has never had a significant museum retrospective—until now. The de Young museum, part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, will present a comprehensive exhibition featuring over 150 works.
“She captured the optimism of Europe rebuilding after World War I,” said curator Furio Rinaldi, who organized the exhibition alongside art historian and Lempicka biographer Gioia Mori, during a video call with CNN.
Initial drafts for Lempicka’s portrait of poet Ella Perrot depicted her nude, but the artist ultimately opted for a sleek, silky white dress. Lempicka and Perrot shared a romantic relationship during their years in Paris.
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