Overview of the Exhibition

The de Young Museum in San Francisco is currently hosting the first major retrospective of Tamara de Lempicka’s work in the United States. This exhibition showcases her glamorous and meticulously crafted Art Deco pieces, which epitomize the style of the era.

Furio Rinaldi, a curator associated with the exhibit, describes Lempicka’s paintings as “exquisite,” noting their polished surfaces and deliberate brushwork that invite viewers to appreciate their aesthetic beauty up close.

Distinctive Style of Lempicka

Rinaldi highlights two key elements that define Lempicka’s artistic signature:

• Geometrical Shapes: Lempicka’s approach often simplifies forms to their essence, creating a distinct visual language.
• Influence of Old Masters: She draws inspiration directly from the works of European Old Masters, blending classical techniques with modern aesthetics.

A Journey Through Her Life

Born Tamara Rosa Hurwitz in 1894 in Poland, she later moved to St. Petersburg and married aristocrat Tadeusz Łempicki Junosza. The Russian Revolution of 1917 prompted her family to flee to Paris, a city that was revitalizing after the First World War. This environment fostered Lempicka’s burgeoning career as an artist, initially born from necessity.

Rinaldi notes that Lempicka’s work captured the spirit of empowerment prevalent in Paris for the queer community during that era. Some of her subjects were women she loved, and she celebrated the female form in ways that contrasted starkly with the previous artistic conventions.

Notable Works and Themes

Among Lempicka’s renowned works is her portrayal of poet Ira Perrot, which exemplifies her fascination with eroticism and personal expression. Rinaldi describes this piece as showcasing a serene detachment, highlighting “a sitter who’s not even looking at us” but rather immersed in her own world.

Art as a Means of Survival

According to Marisa de Lempicka, the artist’s great-granddaughter, Lempicka famously purchased diamond bracelets with the profits from her paintings as a form of financial security. These bracelets symbolized her ability to survive even in unpredictable circumstances, especially after her harrowing experiences in Europe leading up to World War II, when she and her family relocated to the United States in 1939.

The Legacy of Tamara de Lempicka

Despite her prominence during the 1920s and 1930s, Lempicka’s status dwindled as artistic tastes shifted towards abstract expressionism following her move to the U.S. Marisa de Lempicka reflects on her great-grandmother’s legacy, noting that as a female artist, Lempicka deserves recognition in an art world where many women have been overlooked.

Today, however, interest in her work has surged. Lempicka’s paintings command high prices at auctions, and her influence can be seen in contemporary culture, with collectors like Barbra Streisand and Madonna prominently featuring her art.

Marisa hopes that people will discover Lempicka’s art and life story, drawing inspiration and empowerment from her legacy. “I know this is what Tamara would have wanted,” she expresses.