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.
