Dietz Edzard

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

Sold

13,750 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Dietz Edzard
Miss Vivien Leigh in 'The Mask of Virtue'
signed and titled
oil on canvas

Provenance

Leicester Galleries, London

Exhibited

London, Leicester Galleries, Summer Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture and Prints by Modern Artists, Summer 1935, cat. no. 78.

Literature

Gerd Muehsam, D. Edzard, New York, 1948, cat. no. 91, illustrated.

Catalogue Note

'On May 16, 1935, a new English theatrical star blazed into prominence with the suddenness of a supernova. Nearly every London newspaper carried headlines such as "Stage Fame in a Night", "She Finds Herself a Star in the Morning".' Langston Day, Vivien Leigh: A Brilliant English Actress, The Vivien Leigh Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, THM/433/9/3

Dietz Edzard was a German painter and graphic artist who found inspiration in Paris, moving there in 1928. There, he found favour with a number of collectors, as well as the famed art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, whose support aided Dietz’s artistic career considerably, with his paintings proving particularly popular in America and Canada. His post-Impressionist style of painting is typically characterised by soft, opalescent colours and a warm, glowing light, as seen in the present work. Here, Vivien is depicted in The Mask of Virtue, her first theatre role of real significance, which opened on 16th May 1935. Despite playing only a supporting role, Vivien made such an impression upon the audience of industry grandees and critics that when the reviews were published the following day they spoke almost exclusively of this new young, talented and beautiful actress. A film contract with Alexander Korda and the offer of numerous leading roles soon followed.