There is a lot of buzz being generated at Christie’s. Well, their Latin American Sale in New York set for May 28 and 29 has a rare masterpiece from 17th century. It is none other than a self-portrait by famous muralist Diego Rivera. Called ‘The Firestone Self-Portrait’ this one is expected to sell for a price between $1.2 million and $1.8 million.
Little bit of research on history tells us that this self portrait was made on request by American engineer and art collector Sigmund Firestone from Rochester. Apparently, he met Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo when on a business trip to Mexico in 1939. The painting was commissioned in 1940 and took a year to be completed.
The most interesting part is that Rivera is known to have painted himself close to 20 times. But the ‘Firestone Portrait’ stands apart from the rest because the artist bears a mature and self-conscious expression in this painting while holding a note that reads,
“To my dear friend /Sigmund Firestone /Diego Rivera /January 1, 1941â€.
Fourteen letters were exchanged between Firestone and Rivera which too will be sold along with the portrait.
Via forbes
