Vladimir Tretchikoff was a Russian-born South African artist best known for his vividly coloured, often exotic paintings that became hugely popular with the general public during the mid-20th century.
Though often dismissed by art critics, Tretchikoff’s work earned him immense commercial success and a kind of cult status.
Key facts
- Born: December 26, 1913, in Petropavlovsk, Russian Empire (now Kazakhstan)
- Died: August 26, 2006, in Cape Town, South Africa
- Nationality: Russian-born; later became a South African citizen
Career highlights
- Early life: Fled the Russian Revolution with his family, eventually settling in China. He worked as an illustrator in Shanghai before moving to Singapore during WWII.
- World War II: Was captured by Japanese forces and interned, then later moved to South Africa after the war.
- Breakthrough: He gained fame in the 1950s for portraits that blended realism with theatrical flair and bold use of colour.
Most famous works
- “The Chinese Girl” (also known as “The Green Lady”) – This is his best-known painting, depicting a Chinese woman with bluish-green skin. It became one of the most commercially reproduced art prints of the 20th century, often adorning homes around the world in the 1950s and 60s.
- “Lady from the Orient” – The painting features a graceful Asian woman depicted with classical poise and soft, serene expression. Her attire is richly detailed, likely drawing from East Asian traditional fashion, often with floral or embroidered patterns. As with many of Tretchikoff’s works, the background is minimal or shadowy, which helps emphasise the subject’s facial features and clothing.
Legacy
- Vladimir Tretchikoff was dubbed the “King of Kitsch” by critics, who saw his work as overly sentimental and lacking artistic depth.
- Despite criticism, he was a pioneer in making art accessible to the masses, with his prints selling in the millions.
- He held sold-out exhibitions around the world, including in London and the US, and was arguably one of the most commercially successful artists of his time.
Vladimir Tretchikoff spent much of his later life in Cape Town, where he continued to paint until his death.
His legacy has enjoyed a reappraisal in recent years, with some viewing his kitsch style as emblematic of mid-century pop culture.
Have you ever seen any Vladimir Tretchikoff paintings up close and personal?
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