Andy Warhol...original 4-image-style self-portait to be sold @ auction! Quirky artist laughing in grave!

One of the most recognizable self-portraits by celebrated Pop Icon - Andy Warhol - was not inspired by vanity contrary to popular belief.

The distinctive four-part image of the quirky artist – somewhat reminiscent of a dreary mug shot taken on the fly at a local jailhouse after a late-night DUI (soon to fetch upwards of $20 million at auction) sprang to life in a round-about fashion.

In a bit of a switcheroo, the tables were turned on Warhol when a socialite agreed to “sit” for the phantom auteur - who reined over the notorious “Factory” in New York City in the heady 70's - provided he rustle up an original image of himself to grace her wall.

Although the former graphic artist was inclined to whip up portraits of the rich and famous in a particular style - in this instance case - there was a creative departure.

Instead of shooting a Polaroid first to capture his essential spirit (as he did with the jet set elite he captured on his eclectic canvasses), Warhol responded to a light bulb that went off in his head on this unique occasion.

The zany visionary artist dashed out the door with sunglasses firmly affixed on his snoz - attired in a ubiquitous raincoat similar to those worn by flashers - and plunked a few quarters into a dingy photo booth down the street in his artsy-fartsy neighborhood.

Once the quarters were plugged into the slot, he camped it up in front of the crude camera - and thus - drummed up a series of four images to use as the basis for the self-styled portrait.

His delighted patron, a woman by the name of Mrs. Barron, was so thrilled with the creation that it remained in her hands until she passed to spirit in 1999.

Guy - the art-lover's son - has now given the nod for the unique one-of-a-kind piece to be sold to the highest bidder at Christie’s next month at what is expected to be a sold-old event .

“It’s one-off,” confided Brett Gorvy, a co-head of the auction house’s post-war and contemporary art department.

“While he (Warhol) did individual panels of this image, this is the only one conceived as a four-part piece.”

In sum, the portrait(s) are essentially a glorified version of the photo-booth strip images, originally spit out of the vending machine for a paltry buck or two.

Personally, I prefer the way Warhol exalted the Campbell’s soup can!

Sheer genius!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Andy started in advertising & window display in NYC!

Princess Diana...Rubens portrait & rare heirlooms to be auctioned!

 

Christie's announced that rare artifacts from the ancestral home of the Princess of Wales (Althorp House) - with an estimated value of $30 million - will be auctioned off this summer.

Lady Diana was laid to rest at the family estate following her tragic car accident in 1997.

Earl Charles Spencer (Diana's brother) currently resides at the estate situated in Northhamptonshire in central England.

A Rubens portrait (17th century) is among the items to be put on the chopping block.

The funds raised will be invested and used to maintain the stately residence.

In addition to original paintings by the masters, there will be a wide selection of English and French furniture and a 19th century horse-drawn carriage.

Many of the pieces were either purchased by Lady Diana personally or have been in the Spencer family for centuries.

The Rubens - titled "Commander Being Armed for Battle" is expected to fetch a tidy sum.

 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Michael Jackson...OPUS gift idea for die-hard fans! Stunning comprehensive tome...

In the wake of Michael Jackson's death there have been many Michael Jackson tributes -  including a handful in book form chronicling the late pop icon's life & times in the glare of the spotlight since he first sauntered onstage a naive young performer with the Jackson 5 decades ago

Just recently, a thick tome aptly titled  - "The Official Michael Jackson Opus" - has hit the shelves at a handful of upscale bookstores around the country.

The book carries some weight - 38 pounds of it  in fact - and is comprised of 404 pages of thrilling publicity stills sure to appeal to the most discerning die-hard Jackson fan.

According to the publishers, eighty-percent of the images have never been released before and or rarely seen the light of day.

The slick eye-catching publication is priced at a whopping $249.00.

Photo editor Deborah Wald pronounced Opus as a loving tribute to Jackson's  legacy and work.

Opus highlights include four  images of the superstar musician - copies of actual hand-painted portraits by artist Nate Giorgio - dashed off two weeks prior to Michael's death.

One chapter is dedicated to Michael's fashion sense and throws a spotlight on his innate sense of style which was world-renowned.

Producer Ken Kragen also contributed a copy of an original lyric sheet from "We Are the World to be included  in the book (the original was signed by all the artists at the recording session on that auspicious occasion).

Apparently, the hit single was inspired by Jane Goodall (primatolgist) who urged that Michael write a song when he expressed an  interest to "heal the world" on the occasion of her visit to Neverland ranch.

To historians and loving fans - a bevy of poignant shots of Michael taken during the course of his storied long-and-winding career - are probably of the most interest.

One photo captures an 11-year old Jackson signing an autograph in front of the Rolling Stones office in 1971 complete with Afro and dressed in Jackson 5 stage get-up.

A great Christmas gift idea for the loved one or friend in your life who had just about everything, 'til now.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Matt Lauer...penis envy?

Matt, a suit showing off a little basket is more preferable!

Today show staff traipsed over to the Art Institute one day this past week to try their hand at sketching the human form.

One of the nude male models - strategically set into frame to avoid any "x-rated" footage popping (!) up on camera - allegedly was hung like a horse.

Lauer was asked if he felt intimidated.

"No," he quipped, as his eyes fell to the crotch area of the uninhibited young stud.

"A bit jealous, perhaps."

I expect Matt's subject was "a shower".

Or, just maybe, the young hottie was aroused by Lauer's attentive gaze at his manhood.

Some dudes are into "daddy-types", after all!

http://www.julianayrs.com