W O M E N O F A L G I E R S
P I C A S S O 1 9 5 5
Based on a painting of an Algerian concubine
by nineteenth century French artist Eugene Delacroix,
Picasso adds his own gloss to the story with his
vibrant color and Cubist based disposition.
A woman resembling Picasso's second wife,
Jacqueline Roque, presides over this Kamasutra
of challenging head over heels positions.
The owner of this Picasso paid a princely
$179 million for it in 2015, the price of a
fabulously appointed sultan's yacht.
P R O M E N A D E
A U G U S T M A C K E 1 9 1 3
Macke moved his wife and son from Germany
to the peaceful serenity he found in Switzerland.
This became his most productive period, with works
celebrating nature. The following year Macke was
among the soldiers killed in the opening days of
what became known as the First World War.
Like millions more to follow, the Kaiser had
called him to service.
H I M M E L
M A R S D E N H A R T L E Y 1 9 1 5
Himmel is German for heaven.
A red toy soldier on horseback is fastened
to a pedestal like they are a park monument
pigeon roost. An American named Hartley
is busy painting abstractions in wartime Berlin.
The work shown here comes with its own frame
and also makes a striking design for birthday
wrapping paper.
G E I S H A
G E O R G E H E N R Y 1 8 9 4
British artist George Henry traveled to Tokyo,
Nagasaki and Yokohama to immerse himself,
firsthand, in Japanese culture. Eighteen months
later he returned to London, his many new
works of oil carefully rolled into one large
canvas bundle. Tropical heat and exposure
to moisture on the long voyage home caused the
still tacky oils to stick, crumbling when pulled apart.
All was not lost, though.
The Geisha was a lucky exception.
S T R E T C H S T A M P E D E
L E R O Y N E I M A N
Raw color and energized brushwork.
The dash down this straightaway is a chaotic
mix of thundering horse and jockey, whips
savagely flailing the air, slashing the hide.
The excitement is heightened by having
the herd charging directly at you.
Artist Le Roy Neiman was the
Steven Spielberg of action screen-prints.
S U M M E R
P E T E R M A X
Peter Max emerged from his San Francisco
Summer of Love to become an artist for the
Cosmic Sixties. His works vibrated with
psychedelic palette and acidic innocence.
Here were works suited for a blacklight poster
but they wound up framed on walls.
Pity.
* * * * *
OVER EASY
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