2007 VLADIMIR THE RENAISSANCE “Express your PASSION, DO WHAT YOU LOVE, NO MATTER WHAT.” TRETCHIKOFF VLADIMIR TRETCHIKOFF 1913-2006 THE INSPIRATION

Some have called him the ‘most evocative artist of his generation.’ some have called him ‘the best selling artist in the world.’ Some think ‘his colour palette itself was a revolution.’

To know his work is to understand an artist who became a phenomenon. A man who never compromised because he was being lead by an all-encompassing drive to do what he loved, to paint. And even when he had painted the sublime ‘Chinese Girl,’a picture that would within his lifetime become the World’s most collected lithograph, he did not waver from his love of painting. Tretchikoff himself liked to describe his appeal as ‘Worldwide.’A clear indication of how far a field his work had mesmerized and captivated people. From Australia to Andorra: Guinea to Greenland, there was a time that if you saw a wall, you would see a Trechikoff lithograph hanging on it.

Now, in the 21st century, we ask the question: What would Tretchikoff do now? Would he ask Tom Ford to design a collection of Tretchikoff inspired dresses? Might he sweet talk Jean-Paul Gautier into designing a collaborative Chinese Girl Perfume? His family believes that the passion with which he lived his life and transferred into so many beautiful paintings is a legacy that requires celebrating. And like renewing your wedding vows with a loved one, they would like you to be part of something that if he was alive today, Tretchikoff would himself undoubtedly encourage you to join. THE CHINESE GIRL Painted in His RENAISSANCE.

This iconic painting, also known as the Green Lady is possibly the best known of all Tretchikoff's paintings. Lithographs of this painting can be seen in all corners of the world. The inspiration behind the Tretchikoff Renaissance is the man himself- his talent, his passion and his determined spirit. When my grandfather passed away last year, I paid tribute to him at his memorial service and looking back on his life story, the inspiration that he himself was and the legacy he leaves behind is beautifully clear. Tretchikoff’s main influence was simply the beauty he saw in the life around him. He never compromised and equipped with an indubitable self confidence, he painted only what he wanted to. It just so happened - fortunately for him - that the subject matter he chose and the way he chose to depict it intrigued his audiences the world over. He painted for the sheer passion of it and the rest, being the fame and fortune, was a mere by-product of following his life’s passion. Although the odds were seriously against him, he just kept on doing what he loved, painting and the rest happened effortlessly. Could this not be a reminder to us? ‘Know thy self and to thy own self be true,’ find your passion, believe in yourself and take action no matter what. In creating his Renaissance, we are celebrating more than his work, we are celebrating the man himself for the full self expression of his passion.

Our wish is to have his work as well as legacy live on by reframing his art for the 21st Century and develop the Tretchikoff brand to license; in so doing to broaden his appeal to young, affluent, contemporary individuals. We are leveraging off the current trend in making art affordable and accessible. After all, it was my grandfather himself a man way ahead of his time, who established this trend by being the first artist ever to make reproductions of his work. At the time, he was hugely criticized by the art world who said he was, ‘commercializing and devaluing art.’ However he replied, ‘Why should art only be enjoyed by the wealthy, I want everyone to enjoy my art?’

NATASHA MERCORIO Tretchikoff’s grand daughter & Custodian of Artistic Property VINTAGE LETTER-PRESS TRETCHIKOFF PRINTS OUR ALL-TIME TRETCHI FAVOURITES Tretchikoff first-hand vintage prints have been produced One may expect us to say the Oriental Girls, which he to the highest quality under the artists’ personal is mostly known for, however while we love these exotic supervision. They have been in the artists’ collection portraits, we share the same two favorites! The first since the 50’s and are now being released for the first being, ‘The Lost Orchid.’ This is a much discussed canvas, time. for in spite of its almost startling simplicity, there is a

There are limited amounts of our letter press prints wealth of drama contained in this composition. This is available and we have the largest selection. You also certainly no Still life! The teardrop is consistent with my have a choice to purchase them unframed or in stylish grandfather’s belief that flowers are capable of feelings contemporary or eclectic frames that compliment the and even simple emotions. work superbly. The second is ‘The Birth of Venus.’ If you asked me to Each print comes packaged with a certificate of choose the next ‘Chinese Girl’ or his no. 1 for the 21st authentication signed by the artists’ daughter and Century, it would be this painting. It is one of the least Natasha as the custodian of his artistic property. known portraits and my Grandfathers depiction makes Botticelli’s Venus look pallid in comparison. With all the

THE TOP 5 TRETCHI PRINTS AVAILABLE trademarks typical of Tretchikoff i.e. pure iridescent The Oriental Girls, Balinese Girls, colour, super realistically depicted water droplets The Lost Orchid, The Weeping Rose, streaming down the contours of her torso and bright The Birth of Venus, and the African Collection red lushes lips, it evokes subtle emotions of erotica represented by this archetypal goddess of sensuality, Quantities vary per print, but on average we have a love and beauty. few hundred of each and in some instances like the Lost Orchid we have less than 100! All prints are available at www.vladimirtretchikoff.com RENAISSANCE WWW.VLADIMIRTRETCHIKOFF.COM

The Tretchikoff Renaissance is managed by a passionate team, Natasha Mercorio and Andrew Franks. With backgrounds in marketing and art they are a dynamic combination of hard logic and passion. After 3 years soaking up world creative and design trends in , they now apply their creative expertise to the Tretchikoff brand and contemporary art culture. These two have recently launched a series of exhibitions and the official Vladimir Tretchikoff Website, which is an amazingly animated biography of his very colourful life as well as a showcase of his prolific artworks.

ANDREW FRANKS NATASHA MERCORIO In July, the team are off to London to sign Creative Director Custodian of Artistic Property ORIENTAL GIRLS a book deal and meet with various retailers who are interested in licensing the brand and its imagery. Then in August, they are going to New York to ‘suss’ out the scene and are planning a series of exhibitions. [email protected] PRINT AVAILABILITY www.vladimirtretchikoff.com Prices: Unframed: Range from R250 to R1500 Framed: Range from R1,500.00 to R 5,000.00 Vladimir Tretchikoff Details: Natasha Mercorio THE RENAISSANCE Email:[email protected] EXHIBITION AT BIBLIOTEQ 22 MAY-13 JUNE 2007 Andrew Franks Email:[email protected]