Portrait of Marjorie Ferry - Tamara de Lempicka

A 1932 Art Deco portrait by Tamara de Lempicka, featuring the singer Marjorie Ferry in a highly stylised, sculptural composition.

Tamara de Lempicka painted this portrait of the cabaret singer Marjorie Ferry in 1932. The work displays the characteristic aesthetic of the Art Deco period, defined by smooth surfaces, sculptural forms, and a precise, almost metallic finish. Lempicka employs a palette of cool greys and stark whites, which contrast with the golden tones of the subject's hair and the warmth of her skin. The composition is structured around the subject's pose, which draws from classical traditions of the reclining nude, yet updates them with a modern, cinematic sensibility. The figure is positioned against an architectural backdrop, featuring columns that provide a sense of geometric order. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of detachment and composure. The drapery of the white fabric is rendered with sharp, angular folds, demonstrating Lempicka's technical control over light and shadow. Lempicka was a central figure in the Parisian art scene during the interwar years. Her portraits often captured the glamour and artifice of the era, blending influences from Renaissance portraiture with the streamlined shapes of contemporary industrial design. This specific work is noted for its clean lines and the deliberate stylisation of the human form, which removes any trace of brushwork to create a polished, photographic appearance. The focus remains on the interplay between the organic curves of the body and the rigid, artificial environment surrounding the sitter. This print captures the precise tonal transitions and the cool, detached atmosphere of the original oil painting, making it a representative example of Lempicka's approach to portraiture in the 1930s.