In the early 1990s, I painted Marlene Dietrich (commissioned) on the entrance of Café Salon De Blauwe Engel in Groningen, The Netherlands. Using a slide projector.
The photo at the end of this page is taken in June 2013. Twenty years after I painted her, she was still there, on the door, in all her glory.
The door is gone. Her image is captured.
I fused the photo of the original door into a digital version with new background drawings, to keep my original painting alive.
A call to honor bravery and never give up your own courage.
Limited edition of 60. For sale on Saatchi Art. Go to Saatchi.
Details of fine art print:
- W15 x H32,5 cm
- Printed on Fine Art Hahnemúhle William Turner paper.
- 310 g/m2 | white border 1 cm
- Optional: Fine art on alu-Dibond
- Read this blog post on The true beauty of a physical piece
Marlene Dietrich, known for her glamorous film career, also showed remarkable courage throughout her life.
This portrait is an ode to her bravery, alongside her cinematic allure. She was an outspoken critic of the Nazi regime and used her fame and resources to support the Allied troops. After World War II, she was awarded the Medal of Freedom for her exceptional service. Dietrich also openly admitted to being bisexual (“Ein bisschen bi schadet nie”) and was an advocate for women’s rights to dress as they wished.
This portrait is a call to honor bravery and never give up your own courage.
My original painting of Marlene Dietrich, painted on the front door of Cafe Salon De Blauwe Engel in Groningen. Photo, taken in June 2013.
