Tamara de Lempicka, born in 1898 in Warsaw, Poland, was a pioneering Art Deco painter known for her striking portraits of aristocrats and the wealthy during the Roaring Twenties. As reported by Artnet, her distinctive style blended late, refined cubism with neoclassical elements, epitomizing the glamour and modernity of the Art Deco movement.
Tamara de Lempicka's distinctive painting style, often described as "stylized cubism" or "soft cubism," seamlessly blended elements of Cubism, Neoclassicism, and Art Deco. Her unique approach combined:
Geometric, faceted forms inspired by Cubism, but with a softer, more refined touch1
Neoclassical influences, particularly from Ingres, evident in her elongated figures and smooth modeling12
Art Deco aesthetics, featuring streamlined shapes, bold colors, and a sense of luxury and modernity3
De Lempicka's technique was characterized by clean, precise brushwork, luminous colors, and a polished finish that gave her paintings a distinctive sheen14. This fusion of styles allowed her to create portraits that were both avant-garde and accessible, capturing the glamour and sophistication of the interwar period while maintaining a timeless appeal35.
Tamara de Lempicka's commercial success during the interwar period was remarkable, with her portraits highly sought after by European aristocrats and socialites12. Her ability to capture the essence of the Roaring Twenties and Art Deco style made her a favorite among the elite, including King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Queen Elizabeth of Greece3. Despite the Great Depression, de Lempicka continued to receive commissions and exhibit her work in prestigious galleries3.
The revival of interest in de Lempicka's work began in the 1970s, coinciding with a renewed fascination for the Art Deco period4. A pivotal exhibition in 1972 at the Galerie du Luxembourg in Paris reignited critical acclaim for her art4. This resurgence attracted celebrity collectors, most notably Madonna, who became an avid collector and admirer of de Lempicka's work54. Other notable collectors included Jack Nicholson, Barbra Streisand, and Wolfgang Joop, whose interest helped establish a robust market for her paintings4. This celebrity endorsement, combined with major exhibitions and record-breaking auction sales, has solidified de Lempicka's position as a highly valued artist in the contemporary art market4.
Tamara de Lempicka's work was characterized by powerful themes of female empowerment, sexuality, and modernity, which she expressed through innovative artistic techniques. Her paintings often featured strong, independent women who exuded confidence and sensuality, challenging traditional gender roles of the time12. De Lempicka's portrayal of female subjects, including herself, as self-assured and sexually liberated individuals resonated with the changing social dynamics of the 1920s and 1930s3.
Her artistic techniques were equally bold and distinctive. De Lempicka employed a vibrant color palette, clean, precise lines, and dramatic lighting to create striking compositions2. She often used a limited range of colors in each painting, favoring cool tones like steel grays and blues contrasted with warm flesh tones1. Her figures were typically rendered with smooth, polished surfaces and sharp, geometric forms, giving them a sculptural quality that emphasized their strength and modernity4. This unique blend of techniques allowed de Lempicka to capture the essence of the Art Deco era while creating timeless works that continue to captivate viewers today.
Tamara de Lempicka's works have seen a dramatic surge in value in recent years, setting multiple auction records. Her 1932 painting "Portrait de Marjorie Ferry" achieved the artist's current auction record when it sold for $21.1 million at Christie's in February 2020, more than doubling its high estimate12. This sale came just months after her previous record was set in November 2019, when "La Tunique Rose" (1927) sold for $13.3 million at Sotheby's2.
Other notable recent sales include:
"La Musicienne" (1929) - Sold for $9.1 million at Christie's in 20183
"Portrait of Romana de la Salle" (1928) - Sold for $7.2 million at Sotheby's in 20202
"Le Rêve (Rafaëla sur fond vert)" (1927) - Sold for $8.5 million at Sotheby's in 20112
These record-breaking prices have solidified de Lempicka's position as one of the most valuable female artists at auction, with her works now consistently fetching multi-million dollar sums45.