Tretchikoff moved to South Africa in 1946 and painted The Chinese Girl three years later. It is said that more prints of that painting have been sold than of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers.
Tretchikoff was self-taught and painted in oils and watercolors. Although he considered himself a serious artist, critics dubbed his work "art for those who hate art."
He disliked the nickname "The King of Kitsch" and declined to have his work on the cover of a book about kitsch.
This article about the model for The Chinese Girl might be of interest:
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/feb/09/green-lady-monika-pon
Reader Kylie of Lucy Violet Vintage spotted the Zulu Maiden picture in yesterday's post about motel rooms of the 1950s and 1960s. How many iconic mid-century items did you spot?
From bbc.co.uk and theguardian.com
From bbc.co.uk and theguardian.com
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| The Chinese Girl independent.co.uk |
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| Miss Wong tretchikoffprints.com |
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| Balinese Girl missmoss.co.za |
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| Fruits of Bali tretchikoffprints.com |
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| Zulu Maiden mutualart.com |
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| Swazi Girl vladimirtretchikoff.com |
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Speaking of the lovely Kylie at Lucy Violet Vintage, she is raising money for ovarian cancer research by conducting a Frocktober campaign and modeling a vintage dress every day during October. Pop over and help out if you can, or at least enjoy seeing all the beautiful frocks.
I've been intrigued by his work for quite a while: should he've been painting these at this time and age, he'd been the Gauguin of the post-modern...
ReplyDeleteI found it humorous that at one time he reportedly characterized the work of art critics in one word...bullshit. Another time he dismissed them as "failed artists."
DeleteHi Dana, I have an 'original' print in it's original 60's or 70's frame of The Chinese Girl that Anthony bought me for my fortieth birthday. I would love to add to my 'collection' but they are so expensive. I saw one recently in a vintage shop for $500!
ReplyDeleteI would love to get my hands on a Balinese Girl (that doesn't sound very nice, but you know what I mean!) x
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you run across another vintage print in great condition...and at a great price. (Giggling about you getting your hands on a Balinese Girl...)
DeleteI love his work. I would love to have a print of Miss Wong, or of The Chinese Girl. There is just something intriguing about them :)
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite is Mother and Child. I should have included it here.
DeleteOh, aren't they lovely!! Kitschy, yes, but so incredibly elegant! What a tribute to the women of the world! They are all lovely, but my favorite is the Chinese girl. I've been admiring it in miss Lucy's header, and have been so curious about it:-) Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI do think his works are beautiful renderings of traditional cultural dress on equally beautiful women. However, I was surprised to see that his website still includes a few of his pieces that were undoubtedly produced during and influenced by the era of apartheid.
DeleteI have a soft spot for the Bali girl too, but the prices are just crazy!
ReplyDelete