Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
In the frame
news

When Beltran Masses painted Joan and Douglas

The Art Newspaper
22 February 2016
Share

The Cuban-born, Spanish artist Federico Beltran Masses (1885-1949) is one of art history’s more colourful characters. Beltran Masses settled in Paris in 1916, and is best known for his dramatic portraits of seductive women, a selection of which can be seen in an exhibition of his works at London’s Stair Sainty gallery (until 24 March). The show features 16 paintings made between 1911 and 1934—highlights include his most scandalous work, Salome (1918). But Beltran Masses also stands out due to the company he kept. In 1925, “Beltran Masses went to Hollywood as the guest of his friend Rudolph Valentino; he introduced the artist to a fast crowd who soon become both sitters and patrons,” says a gallery statement. Charlie Chaplin was also a fan of the artist, along with the film legend Joan Crawford who is depicted in the 1932 painting Pasión in a melancholic embrace with her then husband, the movie heart throb Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Some archive images show the artist’s celebrity chums including this fascinating snapshot of Beltran Masses with Fairbanks Jr. in front of two striking standing portraits of the lovers. The celebrity couple were caught on canvas in Paris in the early 1930s. 

In the frame
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

In the framenews
14 August 2017

William Turnbull, the artist who would never name-drop

By The Art Newspaper
In the framenews
2 March 2017

Was Hitler's architect a Watts fan?

By The Art Newspaper
In the framenews
11 November 2016

Eduardo Paolozzi takes centre stage

The Art Newspaper
In the framenews
1 August 2017

Marguerite Matisse plays starring role in Picasso’s studio and RA show

By The Art Newspaper