A MYSTERY THAT FASCINATES: THE FRESCOES OF TAMARA DE LEMPICKA

08 Oct A MYSTERY THAT FASCINATES: THE FRESCOES OF TAMARA DE LEMPICKA

They are often women, at times undressed, but never vulgar. Their eyes and poses captivate us. They seduce and intrigue. Very elegant and self-assured, at times there is a glimmer of sadness in their eyes. Perhaps the same sadness that Tamara de Lempicka (Warsaw 18 May 1898 – Cuernavaca, 18 March 1980) was feeling when she painted them. Born in Poland, she learnt how to paint from a French artist of Mentone during a trip to Italy with her grandmother.

Two women, the ambiguity of Tamara. Here is Tamara de Lempicka’s famous painting “Pintemps” (1898-1980) by Mariani

Two marriages, the first to a lawyer, Tadeusz Łempicki, and the second to a baron, Raoul Kuffner, a life dedicated to art between Lausanne, Paris, Germany, Italy, New York and Mexico, where she died in March of 1980. Despite the love of her husbands, Tamara was a declared bisexual. A private ambiguity that she transferred to her paintings. An artistic expression that was admired by everyone. So much so that an important exhibition held in The Palazzo Reale of Milan in 2006 was an unprecedented success.

On the basis of her artistic strength, Mariani Affreschi has been reproducing some of her subjects as frescoes for a few years now.

To find out more about this topic, we spoke to Laura Mariani.

A portrait by a Mariani Affreschi artist inspired by the portrait of “Marjorie Ferry” (1898-1980)

Tamara de Lempicka’s paintings have a mysterious quality. Don’t you agree?

Yes, they give me this sensation. Perhaps it’s the expression in the women’s eyes, their gestures. They are certainly very captivating and intriguing.

Where would you find this type of painting?

Frescoes depicting the subjects of Tamara de Lempicka go well in any type of home or setting. She is a much-loved artist and her works are very popular with our customers.

Which one is your favourite?
It is very difficult to choose. However, “La Dormeuse” (The Sleeper) is one of the most popular.

Technically speaking, how do you emphasis the beautiful colours of Tamara’s paintings?

We are very satisfied with our fresco reproductions because this technique allows obtaining excellent results. Translating the oil painting into a fresco allows maintaining the sharpness of the light and shade contrasts that blend perfectly with the typical soft colours of a fresco.

Some pieces, such as the Dormeuse, have also been reproduced in black and white, and are a big hit with customers.

A topic such as maternity is an ideal gift for the birth of a baby, possibly even re-elaborated in black and white.

M.Z.

Maternity depicted in a fresco by Mariani Affreschi which reproduces the painting “Mère Enfant” by Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980)