Search On For Ealing Artist's 'Muse'

Cubist painter Marie 'Marevna' Vorobieff's catalogue up for auction

Auctioneers selling the work of one of the first female 'cubist' artists who lived in Ealing for some years are seeking help to try and identify the subject in some of her paintings.

Believed to have been painted in Ealing in 1960 this one is entitled 'Blonde lady in blue wrap' by the Russian born artist Marie ' Marevna' Vorobieff (1892-1984).

Marevna, reputedly given the nickname by Soviet writer Maxim Gorky, worked closely with many other famous artists including Pablo Piccasso and George Braque and is widely regarded for her work with Cubism and Pointillism. She played a significant role in the movement but experts say has been largely overlooked due to her gender.

In 1912 she lived in Paris where she met Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera (who later went on to marry Frida Kahlo) and with whom she had a daughter.

Marevna moved to England in 1948 first to Athelhampton and then from 1957 Blakesley Avenue across the road from Ealing Abbey where she lived with her daughter, Marika Rivera, until her death. She depicted a lot of Ealing and the people of Ealing and many images of her garden as well as this depiction of Castlebar Road from 1976 (Lot 234 priced £3,000- £5,000)

Over 300 lots of paintings, drawings, photos and letters with estimates of £80 - £12,000 are being put up for auction from the estate of her grandson David Ellie Philips.

Roseberys who are in charge of the sale 'The Studio Collection of Marie Vorobieff Marevna' are now hoping to identify a blonde women in some of the paintings.

They say ''All we know is she lived in Ealing and the artist Marevna painted her from her home.''

They're urging anyone who might be able to shed any light to contact them.

The studio contents are being auctioned on Wedneday 5th December.

The catalogue can be viewed here.

December 4th 2018