Over a week ago Strauss & Co, Africa’s leading auction house announced the inclusion of Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Lady from the Orient (estimate R5–7 million / $266,790–373,534), a painting considered as a global icon of the twentieth-century, as a highlight of its flagship live sale that is set to take place on May 27th in Johannesburg.
Described as a masterclass in mood, colour and timeless allure, the Lady from the Orient painting is said to capture the heady fusion of eastern influence and Hollywood glamour that propelled Tretchikoff to global fame. Painted in 1955, this mesmerising portrait from the artist’s classic period stands among the artist’s most iconic creations, capturing the moment when fine art and popular culture collided with breathtaking success.
The daughter of a Cape Town grocer, Valerie Howe was apperently just 21 when she posed for Tretchikoff, unknowingly stepping into art history. Her introspective pose, captured with eyes downcast and dressed in a signature emerald-green gown with gold detailing, channels the glamour of 1930s Hollywood icons like Anna May Wong, while simultaneously nodding to the romantic traditions of the Pre-Raphaelites.
“Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Lady from the Orient remains one of the most iconic and widely loved images produced by the artist following his move to South Africa in 1946,” says Dr Alastair Meredith, Head of Art Department, Strauss & Co.
Upon its reproduction as a print, Lady from the Orient achieved astonishing success, becoming the second-best-selling print in Britain in 1962. Tretchikoff’s vision has proven remarkably resilient and his works continue to command record prices at auction.
Since his emergence on the international art scene in the early 1950s, Russia-born Tretchikoff is said to have maintained a loyal and far-reaching collector base. Interest in his work has intensified, notably in the wake of scholarship and museum interest over the past two decades, establishing his paintings among the most sought-after and recognisable images of the twentieth century.
Tretchikoff’s paintings, once considered unconventional by critics, now routinely achieve record results. In 2024, Strauss & Co sold Balinese Girl, also from his classic period, for R5.6 million / $303,406. A prolific and imaginative artist, Tretchikoff explored a range of subjects including glamorous portraiture, lush florals, religious themes and sport. His dynamic Springboks v Wales (estimate R300,000–400,000 / $16,160–21,550) depicts the hurly-burly of a rugby match with flair unique to Tretchikoff.
If you’re interested in an encounter with the iconic painting, Lady from the Orient will be exhibited at the upcoming RMB Latitudes Art Fair (23–25 May 2025), alongside a curated selection of important modern and contemporary works from Strauss & Co’s flagship live sale.
