MADAM VIP MAKES AN ENTRANCE, 1959
57
GEORGE BELL
(1878 - 1966)
MADAM VIP MAKES AN ENTRANCE, 1959
oil on composition board
61.5 x 45.5 cm
signed and dated lower left: George Bell 59
inscribed with title on old artist's label verso
Estimate:
$5,500 - 7,500
Provenance
Deutscher~Menzies, Melbourne, 24 November 1999, lot 57
Private collection, Newcastle
Literature
Helmer, J., George Bell: The Art of Influence, Greenhouse Publications, Melbourne, 1985, pp. 103–104, pl. 51 (illus.)
Catalogue text
'Madame V.I.P., of 1959 is painted with humour; perhaps Bell looked to Van Dongen or possibly to Dobell,but something of Bell's own character emerges from this work, which satirizes pomposity. He could not tolerate the pompous and fatuous, and he has exaggerated the 'finery' and coarseness of the character to make a figure of fun.'
Helmer, J., pp.103-104