Image:Edvard Munch (Norwegian, 1863-1944) Madonna A very rare and early hand-coloured impression of the first state. Printed with excellent contrasts and clarity, before the reduction of the head of the foetus; reduced for later editions and before the additional shading on the Madonna’s right arm. Coloured in vivid red, yellow, blue, orange, green and white. Signed “E Munch” and dated 1895 in pencil lower right, on firm, cream wove paper, with margins; 600 x 440mm (23 5/8 x 15 3/4in)(I) 696 x 518mm (27 3/8 x 20 3/8in)(SH)
Estimate: £500,000 – 700,000
They modelled for three of the greatest artists who ever lived. One was murdered by her lover; another shot herself; the third lives on, a potent reminder of Hollywood’s glamour years. And their images lead Bonham’s Print sale in London on 13 July.
The star lot is an impression of Edvard Munch’s Madonna, thought to be the first hand coloured version of this iconic image. The model was his 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. Munch produced the image in seven different states between 1895 and 1902 and this impression is from the very first state. It is in excellent condition and that, coupled with its strong provenance – it has been in the same family for over 100 years – justifies its estimate of £500,000 – 700,000.
Andy Warhol’s famous image of Hollywood screen legend Elizabeth Tayor (£18,000 – 22,000) is an icon of a different age and a different kind. Seven times married Liz Taylor is as well known for her tempestuous private life as for her acting. 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.
A Picasso lithograph in beautiful condition from 1958 completes the trio. It shows Jacqueline Roque, who became his second wife in 1961, in right profile. Jacqueline modelled for Picasso from 1954 until the artist death in 1973 and she appears in more than 400 portraits. Notoriously, she banned Picasso’s two children by 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 and is signed and numbered in pencil 16/50 and is estimated at £30,000 – 40,000.
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