Portraits of Helena Rubinstein to be offered by Sotheby's in New York

In May and October 2011, Sotheby’s is pleased to offer 20 portraits of Helena Rubinstein, the legendary businesswoman and style icon whose name remains synonymous with beauty and elegance more than 100 years after the founding of her company, Helena Rubinstein, Incorporated.  Rubinstein was a pioneer and an innovator, creator of one of the first worldwide beauty brands and the world’s first female self-made millionaire.  She was also a noted collector, filling homes in London, Paris and New York with extraordinary works of art. 

As both a patron of the arts and a seasoned collector, Rubinstein sat for portraits by celebrated artists such as Salvador Dalí, Raoul Dufy, Pavel Tchelitchew and Graham Sutherland, all of whose works are featured in the upcoming sales.  Five works will be included in the Impressionist and Modern Art sales on 3 & 4 May 2011 and the balance will be sold in October 2011. 

The highlight of the group is Salvador Dalí’s Princess Arthchild Gourielle-Helena Rubinstein from 1943 which will be offered in Sotheby’s Evening Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art on 3 May 2011.  Considered perhaps the most accomplished of the artist’s many society portraits, the painting presents Rubinstein, a long time friend and patron of Dalí’s, chained to the rocky cliffs by her own jewels (est. $1/1.5 million). 

All 20 works will be shown together in Sotheby’s New York galleries from 9-12 April 2011.  The portraits are being sold by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation and are estimated to bring more than $2 million.

http://www.sothebys.com/