NIKI DE SAINT-PHALLE | Le poète et sa muse

Collection Nellens, Knokke-le-Zoute
Sotheby's, London, 26 June 1996, Lot 41
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner

Marsha and Robin Williams often gave each other gifts in the form of art, and Niki de Saint-Phalle’s exquisite La Poete at sa Muse is one of those beloved gifts that Robin gave to his wife. Marsha notes that is was one of Robin’s favorite works in their collection. Upon learning that the Williams had acquired one of her works, Niki de Saint-Phalle, who was staying nearby the Williams Family home at the time, wrote a whimsically decorated letter to Robin and left it in the mailbox. Feeling they were kindred spirits, de Saint-Phalle addressed the letter, For Robin Williams, from a fan -- Nikki “phsycodelic brain”.