Saturday 26 January 2013

A Quick Question,

how many times have you watched a television programme in the UK and seen this picture in the background on a wall?


for me more times than I can remember, 'Chinese Girl', is the most iconic work of Vladimir Tretchikoff, just a small point his life story is absolutely amazing, if you have time click on his name, it is well worth reading, back to the painting the BBC had this to say about it,


'the BBC confirmed that the 'Chinese Girl' was indeed the highest-selling print in history. Even as early as 1961, a BBC presenter made the following assertion (as related in Pigeon's Luck, the artist's life story): "Which painting do you think is the most famous in the world? Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa'? Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus'? Gainsborough's 'Blue Boy'?... Before you answer, let me tell you you're wrong. It's the green-faced 'Chinese Girl' by Tretchikoff.'


the 'Chinese Girl' was inspired by the sitter Monika Sing-Lee, who was working at her uncle's launderette in Sea Point, Cape Town when Tretchikoff spotted her and asked her to model for him, now the time has come for the original to be sold, so if you want to become the owner of this picture be sure to be at Bonham's South African art sale on 20th March 2013, in New Bond Street, London and bring a cheque book with at least £300,000 in the account!

2 comments:

Mike C said...

Hi Stan, once again you find a gem of a web site. I followed the link and became engrossed in the site. Keep finding such gems, they are wonderful to read. Regards. Mike

Boris Gorelik said...

Thanks for the post, Stanley!

Boris Gorelik
author of Incredible Tretchikoff
http://www.artbookspublishing.co.uk/incredible-tretchikoff/