Important Works by Tamara de Lempicka From the

Collection of Wolfgang Joop to be Sold at Sotheby's.

Article courtesy of artdaily.org

NEW YORK, NY.- On May 5 and 6, 2009 ten paintings by Tamara de Lempicka from the collection of noted fashion designer Wolfgang Joop will be offered at Sotheby’s New York. It is the finest group of paintings by the artist ever to appear at auction. Four paintings will be included in the evening sale of Impressionist and Modern Art on May 5th and six will be offered the following day. Highlights will be on view in London from April 22-25 prior to the exhibition and sale in New York.

Emmanuel Di-Donna, Vice Chairman, Impressionist and Modern Art Worldwide and Head of Sotheby’s Evening Sales, New York, commented, “This group of paintings, all from Lempicka’s prime period, embodies the spirit of the Art Deco era and its sense of style and modernity. These iconic images range from intimate and sensual to bold and monumental. As an artist, Lempicka drew on the avant-garde art and design around her, Cubism in particular, to derive a distinct aesthetic all her own.”

Recent decades have witnessed a resurgence of interest in Tamara de Lepmicka, a figure who occupied an important position in ‘Roaring Twenties’ Paris. Her glamour has inspired celebrity collectors in the movie, music and fashion worlds. A voracious collector, Wolfgang Joop has spent several decades amassing an extraordinary collection of modern and contemporary art and 20th century design. Benjamin Doller, a Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s commented, “As a key player in the fashion industry with his collection Wunderkind, it’s understandable that Mr. Joop would appreciate the Hollywood glamour and decadence celebrated in Lempicka’s work. A pioneer in many areas of collecting, he was among a handful of early enthusiasts to rediscover her in the 1970s. ”

“Tamara’s appeal to me is comparable to that of a blue diamond,” said Wolfgang Joop. “From the first moment I saw her paintings, I was captivated by the unique way in which she presented women, and I have been fortunate to enjoy a long and intimate history with her. In turn, she inspired my work with a distinctive style that embodies the image of a modern woman.”

José Luis in New York