Stuff You Missed in History Class: Tamara de Lempicka Hosted by Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson | Release Date: January 20, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve deep into the life and legacy of Tamara de Lempicka, a pioneering artist whose distinctive style became synonymous with the Art Deco movement. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Holly and Tracy illuminate both the glittering triumphs and the turbulent personal life that defined de Lempicka's journey.

Early Life and Background

Tracy V. Wilson begins by exploring Tamara de Lempicka's enigmatic origins. Born Tamara Gerwig Gorshka, she claimed to have been born on May 16, 1898, in Warsaw, Poland. However, discrepancies in her personal accounts suggest she may have actually been born in 1894 after her family moved to Moscow. Her first name is recorded in various forms—Maria and Rosalia—adding to the mystery surrounding her early years.

"Tamara Gerwig Gorshka was born, according to her own account, on May 16, 1898, probably in Warsaw, Poland." [03:33]

Tracy highlights that de Lempicka grew up in a wealthy family, which afforded her extensive travels with her grandmother, Clementina. This exposure played a crucial role in shaping her artistic sensibilities. Additionally, Tamara attended a Swiss finishing school, further refining her cultural and social acumen.

"As a teenager, Tamara benefited from her relationship with her grandmother Clementina, in that the two of them traveled extensively together." [05:24]

Marriage and Early Career

Holly Fry recounts Tamara's early adulthood, notably her marriage to Tadeus Lempicki, a prominent lawyer in St. Petersburg’s social circles. Their union seemed ideal at first, with Tadeus poised for success. However, the Russian Revolution of 1917 upended their lives when Tadeus was arrested by the Bolsheviks. Tamara's relentless efforts to secure his release eventually led them to Paris, where they began anew.

"Tamara met a young man named Tadeus Lempicki...they fell in love and got married. Things seemed perfect at this point." [05:41]

Despite their initial prosperity, the couple faced significant strains. Tadeus's experience as a political prisoner left him deeply changed, becoming less tolerant of Tamara's assertive nature. This tension set the stage for the challenges that would later define their relationship.

"He had just spent six weeks as a political prisoner, and he was very changed by that experience." [06:12]

Artistic Career Beginnings

Encouraged by her sister Adrienne, who advised her to pursue a career independent of her husband, Tamara turned to art as a means of financial support. Tracy V. Wilson notes that Tamara's formal art education in Paris under Maurice Denis and Andre Lhote was pivotal in developing her unique style.

"Tamara started studying art formally with Maurice Denis, and Andre Lot was particularly influential on her, although she did soon go past him in skill." [09:04]

Holly Fry shares insights from Tamara's great-granddaughter, Marisa de Lempicka, highlighting Tamara's determination to succeed. Tamara famously declared her ambition to become the "most important painter in Paris," a goal she pursued with both flair and strategic foresight, such as purchasing diamond bracelets to secure her financial future.

"Tamara once told her, 'I decided I was going to become the most important painter in Paris... [I] would buy myself a diamond bracelet.' " [09:34]

Rise to Fame

Between 1922 and 1924, Tamara de Lempicka's distinctive Art Deco style began to gain recognition. Tracy V. Wilson emphasizes that her precision and finished technique set her work apart in a crowded Parisian art scene.

"I was the first woman to paint cleanly and that was the basis of my success. From a hundred pictures, mine will always stand out." [17:19]

Her first solo exhibition in Milan marked the beginning of a rapid ascent in the art world. Holly Fry remarks on Tamara's confidence and audacious lifestyle, describing her as a "peacock" who balanced intense work hours with lavish social engagements.

"Tamara was a very showy human being. She was like such a peacock in all the great ways." [18:18]

By the late 1920s, Tamara's success enabled her to purchase and lavishly renovate a home on Paris's Left Bank, further cementing her status within elite circles. Her patron, Dr. Pierre Boucard, played a significant role by commissioning a series of family portraits, providing financial stability that allowed her to focus on her art.

"She used the money from that deal to set herself up in her home, including creating a very beautiful studio to work in." [18:18]

Personal Life and Relationships

Tracy V. Wilson delves into Tamara's complex personal life, marked by numerous affairs and a hedonistic lifestyle. Tamara's relationships with both men and women often intertwined with her artistic pursuits, with many of her lovers becoming subjects of her sensual and glamorous portraits.

"Tamara had never been faithful to her husband... This unconventional way of life is reflected in a quote of hers: 'I live life in the margins of society and the rules of normal society don't apply in the margins.'" [20:06]

Despite her active social life, Tamara's marriage to Tadeus strained under the weight of her infidelities and his own dissatisfaction. Their tumultuous relationship ultimately led to divorce, highlighting the personal costs of Tamara's relentless pursuit of independence and success.

"The marriage ended...the left hand, where his wedding ring should have been, is unfinished." [22:50]

Her relationship with her daughter, Maria Christina (Kesette), was similarly fraught. While Tamara used Kesette as a model for her art, their bond was strained by her controlling behavior and priorities.

"Tamara was an artist and a mother, in that order... her daughter's life... was ruled by the dictum of what we call below the artist's hunger: Work before all." [23:47]

Impact of The Great Depression

The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 coincided with Tamara's move to New York. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Tamara managed to sustain her career during this economically challenging period through strategic commissions and continued artistry.

"De Lempicka was able to weather the Depression and continued to paint and make a living as an artist." [24:34]

However, the escalating global economic crisis began to impact the opulent art scenes Tamara was accustomed to, subtly influencing both her personal life and artistic output.

Continued Career and Later Life

Post-Depression, Tamara's career flourished with exhibitions across Los Angeles and New York. Yet, the outbreak of World War II shifted societal focuses, leading to a decline in art exhibitions and altering the trajectory of her career.

Holly Fry observes that Tamara's attempts to adapt to the post-war art world through abstract paintings were met with limited success, causing her popularity to wane.

"Her popularity really dwindled." [35:57]

Tragically, the death of her second husband, Raoul Kufner, in 1962 deeply affected Tamara. Isolated from the art scenes of New York and Paris, she embarked on a series of world cruises seeking solace but found little peace. Her relationship with Kesette deteriorated further as Tamara became increasingly controlling and critical.

"Tamara treated Cassette pretty poorly while they lived in Texas together... her behavior toward her daughter was hypercritical and often really cruel." [37:59]

In her final years, Tamara faced declining health and diminishing creative output, struggling to find relevance in a rapidly changing world. A retrospective exhibition in Paris in 1972 briefly rekindled interest in her work, but it failed to restore her former acclaim.

"In 1972, there was a retrospective exhibit of Tamara's works mounted in Paris. And this breathed life into her career briefly, but it did not garner the level of popularity that she probably hoped for." [38:35]

Tamara ultimately retired to Cuernavaca, Mexico, where she spent her remaining years in relative seclusion. Her ashes were honored according to her wishes, scattered at the volcano Popocatépetl, symbolizing perhaps the fiery passion that characterized her life and art.

"On March 18, 1980, Tamara de Lempicka died in her sleep... her final wish was to have her ashes spread at the volcano Popocatépetl." [40:02]

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Despite the ebb and flow of her fame during her lifetime, Tamara de Lempicka's work experienced a renaissance posthumously. Tracy V. Wilson recounts stories of her paintings resurfacing and achieving significant value at prestigious auctions decades after their creation.

"That lost art... was located and in the intervening years commanded $4.6 million at auction." [40:36]

Further, her influence extends into contemporary culture, inspiring fashion designers like Giorgio Armani and appearing in modern media, including Madonna's music videos and stage designs.

"Madonna has used her art in music videos and as stage decor in live shows... she has a lot of very dedicated fans, all of which probably would have delighted her." [44:19]

However, not all critiques of de Lempicka's work are laudatory. Tracy V. Wilson cites critic Fiona McCarthy's observation of the darker undertones in her Art Deco aesthetics, suggesting a connection to authoritarian motifs.

"Her art exudes the dark and dubious glamour of authoritarian discipline." [43:29]

Nonetheless, Tamara de Lempicka remains an iconic figure in art history, celebrated for her bold style and indomitable spirit. Her life story serves as a testament to the complexities of balancing personal ambition with tumultuous relationships and societal changes.

Notable Quotes

• Tracy V. Wilson [03:33]: "Tamara Gerwig Gorshka was born, according to her own account, on May 16, 1898, probably in Warsaw, Poland."

• Tracy V. Wilson [09:34]: "I decided I was going to become the most important painter in Paris... [I] would buy myself a diamond bracelet."

• Tracy V. Wilson [17:19]: "I was the first woman to paint cleanly and that was the basis of my success. From a hundred pictures, mine will always stand out."

• Tracy V. Wilson [20:06]: "I live life in the margins of society and the rules of normal society don't apply in the margins."

• Tracy V. Wilson [23:47]: "Tamara was an artist and a mother, in that order... her daughter's life... was ruled by the dictum of what we call below the artist's hunger: Work before all."

• Tracy V. Wilson [43:29]: "Her art exudes the dark and dubious glamour of authoritarian discipline."

Conclusion

Tamara de Lempicka's life was a vivid tapestry of artistic brilliance, passionate relationships, and personal turmoil. Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson's comprehensive exploration paints a portrait of a woman who fiercely carved her path in the male-dominated art world of the early 20th century. While her legacy continues to inspire, it also invites scrutiny and reflection on the interplay between an artist's personal life and their creative output. Tamara de Lempicka remains a fascinating figure, embodying the complexities and contradictions that make historical narratives so compelling.

Stay tuned to Stuff You Missed in History Class on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more intriguing historical deep dives.