Tamara de Lempicka, Portrait of Marquis d’Afflito, 1925
Oil on canvas, 81 × 130 cm (31 7/8 × 51 1/8 in). Private Collection
© 2025 Tamara de Lempicka Estate, LLC/ ADAGP, Paris / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
In Portrait of Marquis d’Afflito, Lempicka blends casual elegance with aristocratic allure, capturing the marquis in a pose that recalls the relaxed grandeur of Roman antiquity. The lush, verdant foliage envelops him, its cool, almost tangible texture contrasting with the delicate fabric of his tuxedo, creating a subtle yet powerful interplay between the natural world and refined sophistication. The slight tension between the damp, organic backdrop and the pristine formality of his attire elevates this otherwise seemingly simple portrait, imbuing it with an air of sensuality and timelessness.