Elizabeth Peyton

Galerie Neugerriemschneider, Berlin
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 1996

Hamburg, Deichtorhallen, Elizabeth Peyton, 2001-02, illustrated in colour
Elizabeth Peyton, Ed., Eizabeth Peyton, New York, 2005, p. 65, illustrated in colour

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate although the colours are richer and more vibrant in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There is a fine layer of dust as well as fibres adhering to the surface in places throughout the composition. There is fine stable craquelure to the gesso towards the extreme left edge of the composition, 7cm. in from the lower right corner. No restoration is apparent under ultra-violet light.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Elizabeth Peyton is recognized as having revived the tradition of portraiture at a time in the late 1990s when many had declared it "dead". There is an unavoidable intensity in the colourful encounters between the artist and her subjects, where no distinction is made between the famous characters she depicts and those from her close personal circle. Peyton has said: "There is no separation for me between people I know through music or photos and someone I know personally. The way I perceive them is very similar, in that there is no difference between certain qualities that I find inspiring in them." (Elizabeth Peyton cited in: Exhibition Catalogue, New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, Whitney Biennial 2004, p. 224)

Peyton draws inspiration from scenes and characters she encounters in history books as well as from an eclectic selection of contemporary personalities such as Prince Harry, Pete Doherty and Jarvis Cocker. Whatever her subject, her treatment of it is immensely private generating a great intrigue and sense of intimacy.

Ludwig II Dressed as Louis XIV is a fine example of Peyton's delicate yet rich and luminous technique. It draws connections and comparisons between these two prominent figures. The use of regal red and luscious tones echoes the figure's elegant stance as does the dramatic décor and drapery in the background.  In Ludwig II order at St. George Shoes, the subject matter can be taken as an allegory for the person they represent, creating an absent and abstract form of portraiture. What is both charming and engaging about Peyton's paintings is that there is a certain familiarity and pull between both the sitter and viewer.