John Richardson: A Scholar Collects Day 1

Stair presents nearly 250 items from the collection of the late art historian Sir John Richardson on the first day of this event. Richardson was known for his four-volume biography of Pablo Picasso, along with his decades-long friendship with Picasso and many other artists. W Magazine called Richardson, “the man all New York wants to sit beside at dinner.”

Among the works from Richardson’s collection coming to auction on day one is a portrait of French chanson réaliste singer Damia. Like contemporaries such as Édith Piaf, Damia’s songs spoke to the French working class. Her career would take her all over the world, including performing on Broadway in the 1910s and touring Japan in 1953. In this portrait, she lays against a black background, holding her head up with her hand and staring into the distance.

Another painting featured in this event is a blue and black composition by Victor Vasarely. The artist was considered the grandfather of Op Art, a movement interested in the effect of optical illusions on the viewer’s perspective. In this piece, blue and black shapes converge, snapping perfectly together in some areas and clashing or leaving awkward gaps in others.

Collectors interested in historical figures can consider 18 plates of portraits by Thomas Frye, including one of George III. George’s reign saw the union of Great Britain and Ireland. It also was a period of conflict for his country, including the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. This portrait of King George III was previously exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and in the “Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840” show. View each of the lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.