Modern British & 20th Century Art - 29th November 2017
Lot 294
‡Augustus Edwin John OM
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000 | Hammer £8000
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Description
‡Augustus Edwin John OM, RA (1878-1961)
Portrait of Elizabeth Arden, cosmetics magnate
Oil on canvas
61 x 51cm
Provenance:
Elizabeth Arden
Patricia Graham Young, her niece
Charlie Young
James D. Julia, Fairfield MA, USA, 16/08/17, Lot 1252
Literature:
Illustrated Fortune magazine I am a famous woman in this Industry, October 1938, p.59
Lindy Woodhead, Elizabeth Arden & Helena Rubinstein, p.190, a copy of which is included with the lot.
Lindy Woodhead in her book War Paint (p.190) relates that the sitter did not like her first portrait by John and insisted on a second sitting which resulted in this painting which she felt depicted her as much steelier and tougher than the first which was more whimsical. Ms. Arden is said to have hung this painting in her Fifth Avenue apartment and sent the first to be hung in her management office in London.