Latest news with #Strauss&Co
The South African
11 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
WATCH as Vladimir Tretchikoff painting smashes world auction record
Strauss & Co set a new world record for Russia-born South African painter Vladimir Tretchikoff with the sale of his 1955 portrait Lady from the Orient for R31 110 000 ($1 731 845 / £1 283 432). The iconic painting was sold to an anonymous telephone bidder after a dramatic flurry of 89 bids, narrowly beating a determined in-room contender at the live auction in Johannesburg. The final price, inclusive of commission and taxes, comfortably eclipses the previous world record for a Tretchikoff work, set at £982 050 in March 2013 at a London auction for Chinese Girl (1952). 'It is always good when there is a murmur before a big lot,' said auctioneer Alastair Meredith as he introduced Lady from the Orient . Bidding opened briskly and quickly escalated. 'We've breached the $1 million mark,' he remarked after accepting a bid of R18 million. The excitement mounted. 'The next bid is R25.2 million, which is something I have never said,' he shortly added. It took nine more bids before the painting found its new owner at new world record price. Cue flurry of applause. Lady from the Orient depicts 21-year-old Valerie Howe, daughter of a Cape Town grocer, and is one of Tretchikoff's most recognisable works. Drawing inspiration from Pre-Raphaelite painting and Golden Age Hollywood glamour, the portrait features Howe in a vivid green silk gown rendered in Vladimir Tretchikoff's signature Technicolor palette. The work belongs to a small group of iconic images produced by the artist during the decade following his move to South Africa in 1946. A print edition of Lady from the Orient became a popular sensation in 1960s Britain. The auction delivered strong results for William Kentridge, George Pemba, JH Pierneef, Gerard Sekoto and Anton van Wouw, affirming robust interest in a cross-section of South African art. The 100-lot sale of modern and contemporary art earned a combined total of over R62.9 million. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
PROFILE: Who was Vladimir Tretchikoff?
A pinnacle work by Vladimir Tretchikoff leads Strauss & Co's September Auction Week from 16-18 September 2024. Image: Supplied Vladimir Tretchikoff was a Russian-born South African artist best known for his vividly coloured, often exotic paintings that became hugely popular with the general public during the mid-20th century. Though often dismissed by art critics, Tretchikoff's work earned him immense commercial success and a kind of cult status. Born: December 26, 1913, in Petropavlovsk, Russian Empire (now Kazakhstan) December 26, 1913, in Petropavlovsk, Russian Empire (now Kazakhstan) Died: August 26, 2006, in Cape Town, South Africa August 26, 2006, in Cape Town, South Africa Nationality: Russian-born; later became a South African citizen Early life: Fled the Russian Revolution with his family, eventually settling in China. He worked as an illustrator in Shanghai before moving to Singapore during WWII. Fled the Russian Revolution with his family, eventually settling in China. He worked as an illustrator in Shanghai before moving to Singapore during WWII. World War II: Was captured by Japanese forces and interned, then later moved to South Africa after the war. Was captured by Japanese forces and interned, then later moved to South Africa after the war. Breakthrough: He gained fame in the 1950s for portraits that blended realism with theatrical flair and bold use of colour. 'The Chinese Girl' (also known as 'The Green Lady') – This is his best-known painting, depicting a Chinese woman with bluish-green skin. It became one of the most commercially reproduced art prints of the 20th century, often adorning homes around the world in the 1950s and 60s. (also known as 'The Green Lady') – This is his best-known painting, depicting a Chinese woman with bluish-green skin. It became one of the most commercially reproduced art prints of the 20th century, often adorning homes around the world in the 1950s and 60s. 'Lady from the Orient' – The painting features a graceful Asian woman depicted with classical poise and soft, serene expression. Her attire is richly detailed, likely drawing from East Asian traditional fashion, often with floral or embroidered patterns. As with many of Tretchikoff's works, the background is minimal or shadowy, which helps emphasise the subject's facial features and clothing. Vladimir Tretchikoff was dubbed the 'King of Kitsch' by critics, who saw his work as overly sentimental and lacking artistic depth. Despite criticism, he was a pioneer in making art accessible to the masses, with his prints selling in the millions. He held sold-out exhibitions around the world, including in London and the US, and was arguably one of the most commercially successful artists of his time. Vladimir Tretchikoff spent much of his later life in Cape Town, where he continued to paint until his death. His legacy has enjoyed a reappraisal in recent years, with some viewing his kitsch style as emblematic of mid-century pop culture. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Strauss & Co's May auction showcases iconic South African modernist artworks
Johannesburg's art scene is gearing up for a major event this May as Strauss & Co, Africa's leading auction house, prepares to present a stunning collection of South African masterpieces in its flagship live sale on May 27. Locals will have the rare chance to see important works by homegrown legends, all set to go under the hammer in what promises to be a landmark auction for the city. Read more: Art exhibition To See Them Home is currently exhibiting at The Blue House At a special media briefing and walkabout on May 14, Strauss & Co revealed the exceptional quality and historical significance of the pieces up for sale, highlighting how the event fits within the broader international modern art calendar. Among the highlights are paintings by three of South Africa's most celebrated 20th-century artists, Gerard Sekoto, Irma Stern, and Vladimir Tretchikoff. These masters continue to command critical acclaim and attract growing international interest, underscoring Johannesburg's vital role in the global art market. One local favourite, which will catch the eye, is Jakob Hendrik Oerder's evocative Lake View, Braamfontein Farm (Zoo Lake), painted in 1898. This tranquil landscape captures a scene near the heart of Johannesburg, before it was transformed into Hermann Eckstein Park, a space that remains cherished by residents today. Also read: South African female artists contribution celebrated Strauss & Co will also showcase works by George Pemba, a contemporary of Sekoto, who is fast gaining prominence, as well as important pieces by Dumile Feni, and the internationally renowned William Kentridge, whose sculptures and drawings continue to draw crowds worldwide. The auction items will be on display at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Shepstone Gardens from May 23 to 25, giving locals and collectors alike a chance to view these treasures before the live sale at Strauss & Co's Houghton salesroom. With Johannesburg firmly established as a cultural hub, this auction marks a proud moment for the city – a celebration of South Africa's artistic heritage and a beacon for collectors and art lovers. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Calling all artists with expressions unbound At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
eNCA
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- eNCA
"King of kitsch" Tretchikoff sells for new world record
JOHANNESBURG - Vladimir Tretchikoff's iconic painting "Lady from the Orient" has sold for more than $1.7m in a new world record for the Russia-born South African painter, a Johannesburg auction house said Wednesday. The 1955 portrait of a glamorous woman in a green and gold silk gown is among Tretchikoff's most recognisable pieces, reproduced the world over on items such as tablecloths to handbags. It sold to an anonymous telephone bidder late Tuesday for R31,892,000 (US$1,776,017), the Strauss & Co auction house said. The final price, inclusive of commission and taxes, "comfortably eclipses" the previous world record for a Tretchikoff work of £982,050 for "Chinese Girl" (1952) sold in London in 2013, it said in a statement. The painting of the daughter of a Cape Town grocer was a particular sensation in 1960s Britain and is among the most famous images produced by Tretchikoff, who moved to Cape Town in 1946 and died there in 2006. "It was sold as a reproduction in London from 1962 and it was the second-highest selling print in Britain in 1962 and a massive seller in 1963, '64, '65," senior art specialist at Strauss & Co, Alastair Meredith, told AFP ahead of the auction. Tretchikoff, whose stylised work -- including the famous "The Dying Swan" (1949) -- led some to call him "the king of kitsch", became wealthy through the reproductions and prints of his pieces. "Tretchikoff essentially authorised huge numbers of prints of his own paintings to be sold at very cheap prices in department stores and stationery shops all around the world," Meredith said. "Lady from the Orient" is "part of South Africa's cultural and visual makeup, part of our country's aesthetic history. But it's also a global icon," he said. Tretchikoff was born in what is now Kazakhstan, and was then Russia, in 1913. He fled with his family to China at the 1917 Russian revolution and grew up in Shanghai, before moving to Singapore and then South Africa.
Eyewitness News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
S.Africa's 'king of kitsch' Tretchikoff sells for new world record
JOHANNESBURG - Vladimir Tretchikoff's iconic painting "Lady from the Orient" has sold for more than $1.7m in a new world record for the Russia-born South African painter, a Johannesburg auction house said Wednesday. The 1955 portrait of a glamorous woman in a green and gold silk gown is among Tretchikoff's most recognisable pieces, reproduced the world over on items such as tablecloths to handbags. It sold to an anonymous telephone bidder late Tuesday for R31,892,000 (US$1,776,017), the Strauss & Co auction house said. The final price, inclusive of commission and taxes, "comfortably eclipses" the previous world record for a Tretchikoff work of £982,050 for "Chinese Girl" (1952) sold in London in 2013, it said in a statement. The painting of the daughter of a Cape Town grocer was a particular sensation in 1960s Britain and is among the most famous images produced by Tretchikoff, who moved to Cape Town in 1946 and died there in 2006. "It was sold as a reproduction in London from 1962 and it was the second-highest selling print in Britain in 1962 and a massive seller in 1963, '64, '65," senior art specialist at Strauss & Co, Alastair Meredith, told AFP ahead of the auction. Tretchikoff, whose stylised work - including the famous "The Dying Swan" (1949) - led some to call him "the king of kitsch", became wealthy through the reproductions and prints of his pieces. "Tretchikoff essentially authorised huge numbers of prints of his own paintings to be sold at very cheap prices in department stores and stationery shops all around the world," Meredith said. "Lady from the Orient" is "part of South Africa's cultural and visual makeup, part of our country's aesthetic history. But it's also a global icon," he said. Tretchikoff was born in what is now Kazakhstan, and was then Russia, in 1913. He fled with his family to China at the 1917 Russian revolution and grew up in Shanghai, before moving to Singapore and then South Africa.
