Joan Collins

Dorothy Lee Roberts, 1995

An expressive portrait of Joan Collins, painted in vigorous passages of turquoise, copper, violet and yellow. The sitter's direct gaze emerges from a richly worked surface, reflecting Roberts's instinctive handling of colour and her distinctive approach to portraiture. Painted in 1995, during a period of international recognition for the artist. Signed and inscribed on the reverse with a personal dedication to Dame Joan Sutherland, referring to the subject as “The other Joan”. An NY ’95 label is also retained on the reverse.

Gift from Dorothy Lee Roberts to Dame Joan Sutherland; subsequently gifted to the present owner at Dame Joan's request, through the artist.

An accomplished concert pianist and painter, Dorothy Lee Roberts was described as a grand-pupil of Clara Schumann. Her expressive approach to painting attracted the admiration of Ferdinand Eckhardt, former director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and a friend of Marc Chagall, who encouraged her exploration of colour and abstract form. Her exhibitions included Page's Yard Studio, London (1990); Lincoln Fine Art (1991); Wragby Moor Gallery (1993); Bradford (1995); and Gallery Fifty Four, SoHo, New York (1995). She was a prize-winner at Art ’95 New York International with "Manhattan Winter" For further biographical and exhibition history, see Unique Auctions, Dorothy Lee Roberts Paintings Highlight Art Auction, 2015.