Andy Warhol's £20,000 'Liz' stars with Munch and Picasso in London

They modeled for three of the greatest artists who ever lived. 

One was murdered by her lover, another shot herself and the third lives on - a potent reminder of Hollywood's glamour years. Each of their images will lead Bonham's Print sale in London on July 13.

The first, Andy Warhol's famous image of Hollywood screen legend Elizabeth Taylor (which appears estimated at £18,000 - 22,000) today represents an icon of a different age.

Seven times married, Liz Taylor is as well-known for her tempestuous private life as for her acting. 


Andy Warhol's autographed Liz, one of 300 lithographs printed in 1964

Her most famous husband was Richard Burton, whom she married (and divorced) twice. Together they made up one of the golden couples of the swinging '60s.

The lithograph is one of 300 printed in 1964. It is signed by Warhol in biro and dated 1968.

Also appearing for sale is a beautiful condition Picasso lithograph from 1958. It shows Jacqueline Roque, who became his second wife in 1961, in right-hand profile.

Jacqueline modelled for Picasso from 1954 until the artist's death in 1973. She appears in more than 400 of his portraits. 


A 1958 Picasso lithograph depicting his lover, Jacqueline Roque

Notoriously, Roque banned Picasso's two children by his former mistress and muse, Françoise Gilot, from their father's funeral.

Jacqueline Roque shot herself in 1986 at the age of 59. The image is from the third and final state of the work, signed and numbered in pencil (16/50) and estimated at £30,000-40,000. 

Completing the sale is the auction's star lot: an impression of Edvard Munch's Madonna which is thought to be the first hand coloured version of this iconic image. 

Here, the model was Munch's mistress, Dagny Juel, a femme fatale who, after numerous ill-fated affairs, was shot dead by a young lover in a Tblisi hotel aged just 33.


Edvard Munch's Madonna, thought to be the first hand coloured version of
his iconic work, produced in seven states between 1895-1902

Munch produced the image in seven different states between 1895 and 1902, and this historic impression is from the very first state.

It is reportedly in excellent condition and that, coupled with its strong provenance (having been in the same family for over 100 years) justifies its estimate of £500,000-700,000.

Elsewhere, collectors on the look-out for a highly personal Françoise Gilot work - a respected artist in her own right, and one of the most enduring artists of the post World War II School of Paris - can also find this rarely seen self-portrait for sale on the market.

 

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