MADAM VIP MAKES AN ENTRANCE, 1959

Part 1: Important Fine Art
Melbourne
26 November 2014
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