Well, here’s another vintage icon that we never knew about, but once we did, we must have it: We are now on the lookout at estate sales and thrift shops for our own print of Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Chinese Girl aka Green Lady painting — a task that shouldn’t be too hard because we are told this print was so popular in midcentury America that more people have seen it than have seen the Mona Lisa. Yes, we learned that this painting is likely the most popular print of the 20th century — painted by the fantastically popular painter dubbed “The King of Kitsch.”
How did the Green Lady enter our consciousness? In our 2013 fireplace uploader, the above photo of reader SugarShellandButterKnife’s Green Lady over the fireplace appeared…
Then, a second living room — Michael and Teresa’s, above — with the famous print appeared in our uploader.
Shortly after that, reader Gavin left a comment on the story that brought a retro coincidence to our attention — an article in The Observer about the original Green Lady painting being brought up for auction that included an interview with the model. The painting sold last year for $1.5 million at Bonhams auction house in London according to a news story on CNN. The coincidence — and our limited knowledge on the painting — proved just too interesting to pass up writing a story about this famous work of art that has adorned many a midcentury living room.
In the article, The Observer interviews the now 80-year-old model for this most famous Tretchikoff painting, Monika Pon. Pon met Tretchikoff in South Africa while working at her uncle’s launderette when she was 17 years old. Tretchikoff asked Pon to sit for him, and he paid her a small salary to model for his art class for the next six weeks. Pon remembers being unimpressed when Tretchikoff showed her Chinese Girl — thinking that the green cast to her face made her look sickly. Today, when asked how she feels about her face being as recognizable as the Mona Lisa, she says she has come to terms with it — even though the success of Tretchikoff’s portrait had no impact on the course of her life since her identity was kept secret until 2011. The article also mentioned the auction of the original Chinese Girl painting, which had been privately owned by a family in Chicago. Pon said she hopes the portrait’s new owners will put the painting to be on public display.
Tretchikoff himself was no ordinary artist. Both Tretchikoff’s obituary and this excerpt from Tretchikoff Foundation, run by Tretchikoff’s granddaughter Natasha Swift, paint him as a pioneer in his field:
Vladimir Tretchikoff created the world renowned Chinese Girl. A mesmerizing image of a blue-faced, red-lipped Asian beauty as instantly recognizable as the Mona Lisa and said to have sold more copies than her.
Tretchikoff is an important painter, whose legacy lies beyond the many canvases that he produced, but also in every single reproduction of his work.
In his own lifetime, Tretchikoff was the only artist who managed to achieve ubiquity amongst the popular masses. Quite simply, one could say he brought art to the people and prints of his work reached the four corners of the globe.
Unbeknown to many, Tretchikoff was the first artist to make and sell lithographic reproductions of his work, making it affordable and accessible to the ordinary person. At the time, art critics objected, saying he was devaluing and commercializing art. To which he responded, “Why should my art only be available to the rich and famous? I want everyone to enjoy my art.”
In doing so, Tretchikoff shifted the way regular men and woman relate to art, how they obtain it, take ownership of it, display and enjoy it. He also influenced the way that artists today manage their intellectual property, distribute and generate a living from their work.
According to this Wikipedia story, Tretchikoff was so successful that he is believed to have been the richest artist of the 20th century after Picasso. Wow! We need some Tretchikoff in our lives. Now.
In 2011, the first complete showcase of Tretchikoff’s work — Tretchikoff: The People’s Painter — was showcased in South Africa. The accompanying text — and first major publication about the artist — edited by show curator Andrew Lamprecht— seems to have limited availability.
The Daily Mail also recently featured an article on Monika Pon and the Chinese Girl painting up for auction,which features an informative video at the end.
If you have to have your own Green Lady print for your retro abode, try looking on Ebay — where there are currently several listings for prints, both new and vintage — or you can buy prints directly through the Tretchikoff Foundation’s website.
DavidF says
What about Alfred Kowalski’s The Lone Wolf? Supposedly one of the most reproduced paintings of the 20th century. I picked up a copy at an antique store a couple years ago not knowing anything about it – just thought it was neat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Kowalski
Laurie Louise says
I seriously may need this over my fireplace!
nina462 says
I should like the Lone Wolf, as well. It would complete the other 2 drawings I have on my fireplace (by unknown artists). With the right framing, I could finally put them over my couch!
Kirsten says
This is it! OMG, this is the sofa set I have been trying to find the name of for years and years! Does anyone know? I specifically remember knock-off versions being in the Sears/Penney/Wards catalogs. A version of it was even in the Brady’s family room, but no one has been bale to tell me what the style name is or who the designer(s) is/are. Doe anyone know?
Karin Jeffrey says
The new prints on the Tretichikoff website (including the Balinese Girl) are quite expensive. This is why people are searching for vintage prints. A couple of his African lady prints are selling at my local antique store in Toronto for $235.00 Canadian each. Also, the prices on the official website are in South African Rand, which is somewhat annoying.
vegebrarian says
First I have to say, Michael and Teresa’s furniture is so cool!
Love this post! I’m a big fan of Tretchikoff’s work and have a print, not of the Green Lady but of Chinese Girl, Blue Jacket, that hangs in my art room. It used to hang in my living room – in my experience, Tretchikoff is very polarizing. People would be drawn to the print immediately but some would turn to me and say, “this is creepy!” while others would share my high opinion of the portrait.
I first became aware of the artist when I purchased a book called Kitsch Deluxe (which I highly recommend to any kitsch lover!). About a year later I came across the Chinese Girl print at a thrift store. Green Lady is so iconic, but Balinese Girl is actually the other print I wish I could unearth while thrifting!
Katie says
I like creepy things, so that might be a compliment to me. 😉
Thanks for the book recommendation. I’ll have to check that one out! Sounds right up my alley.
vegebrarian says
It’s a great book – there are sections on kitsch history, kitsch icons and then photos of various kitsch interiors around the world, from rococo to tiki. I referred to it many times when decorating my first house!
Another good book is Just Above the Mantelpiece – it’s an ode to mass market art, like Tretchikoff and Margaret Keane. And the cover is flocked! 🙂
Amy says
and then there’s English Popular & Traditional Art by Enid Marx & Margaret Lambert, published in 1951. I believe it covers the kitsch of England — I’m going to find out for sure when my copy arrives next week.
Laura says
I picked up a framed print of The Chinese Girl years ago at an estate sale. I absolutely love it!!! In 20+ years of thrifting I have only ever seen one in a thrift store and they wanted $70 for it! Kinda steep, since I only paid $5 for mine in the 90’s. Tretchikoff’s work is so unique and well, kinda weird. That’s why I like it so much. He also did a painting called The Balinese Girl which is similar to The Chinese Girl. I’ve been on the hunt for that one too.
linda h says
I do love asian decor and have seen this print often in books and mags, but there sure were a lot of people between myself and the Mona Lisa as I was trying to view her at the Louvre.
Robin, NV says
I’m not a big fan of the painting but I liked reading about its history. I’m glad so many people have been able to enjoy it. I would love to see a post on incorporatng framed art work into mid mod decor. I bought my husband a framed print of “Hunters in the Snow” and I think it looks nice hung over our early 60s stereo cabinet.
Jacki says
I grew up in the sixties and seventies and have never seen this painting. I love the sofa and table set though, Michael and Teresa have a beautifully decorated room.
Kate says
I agree Jacki! That sofa/table set is to die for… 🙂
Karin Jeffrey says
Great story. I’ve secretly loved Tretchikoff’s work for years and debated getting a print for years. I love how smoothly Michael and Teresa have picked up the fifties asian-inspired theme with the figurines and furniture. Nicely done!
Some people might argue that the Green Lady is an example of philosopher Edward Said’s ideas about orientalism. However, like all great portraits, it has complexity. For me, her face shows great dignity and a touch of sadness. Thanks for posting.
Jean says
Growing up in the 70’s, my dad had a copy hanging in his office. My sisters and I referred to it as the “green lady” and hated it (my mother wouldnt let him hang it in the house). He is now getting the last laugh as I’ve sent him the recent links about the paintings popularity. It now hangs in his cottage home along with a companion piece, which I would assume is another Tretchikoff print.