Vladimir Tretchikoff's "Chinese Girl" sold for almost $1.5 million at Bonhams auction house in London on Wednesday.
Tretchikoff's 'Mona Lisa of kitsch' sold —
Vladimir Tretchikoff's "Chinese Girl" sold for almost $1.5 million at Bonhams auction house in London on Wednesday.
Bethany Clarke/Getty Images
Tretchikoff (1913-2006) was born in Russia, and lived in China and Singapore before settling in South Africa.
Tretchikoff's 'Mona Lisa of kitsch' sold —
Tretchikoff (1913-2006) was born in Russia, and lived in China and Singapore before settling in South Africa.
Courtesy: Tretchikoff Foundation
Though unpopular with the art establishment, Tretchikoff's work was hugely popular with the public in the 1950s and 1960s.
Tretchikoff's 'Mona Lisa of kitsch' sold —
Though unpopular with the art establishment, Tretchikoff's work was hugely popular with the public in the 1950s and 1960s.
Courtesy: Tretchikoff Foundation
"Chinese Girl," his best-known work, is reputed to be one of the most reproduced paintings in the world.
Tretchikoff's 'Mona Lisa of kitsch' sold —
"Chinese Girl," his best-known work, is reputed to be one of the most reproduced paintings in the world.
Bryony Jones/CNN
The image features on everything from postcards to pillows, and cabaret singer Tricity Vogue even bases her stage persona on the 'blue lady'.
Tretchikoff's 'Mona Lisa of kitsch' sold —
The image features on everything from postcards to pillows, and cabaret singer Tricity Vogue even bases her stage persona on the 'blue lady'.
ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images
Several of Tretchikoff's lesser-known works, including "Lady with Crayfish" (1951) will also go under the hammer at the sale.
Tretchikoff's 'Mona Lisa of kitsch' sold —
Several of Tretchikoff's lesser-known works, including "Lady with Crayfish" (1951) will also go under the hammer at the sale.
Bryony Jones/CNN