Christina De Musée
“My paintings are dreams come to life,” says Christina
De Musée, whose neoclassical forms portray a seamless mélange of fantasy, myth,
and tradition. De Musée’s living dreamscapes have been shown around the world,
in exhibitions at the Norton Simon and Armand Hammer museums, and by private
collectors such as Johnny Carson and Charlie Sheen. De Musée has been active in
the Los Angeles art scene since the 1980s and lives on a gunnery boat—once owned
by Howard Hughes—in Marina del Rey, Calif. Raised in Las Vegas, De Musée landed
her first dancing gig at 16 and spent three years performing in the Follies
Bergere. This setting was the inspiration that led to the creation, notoriety,
and acclaim of her early works, featuring showgirls, courtesans, and femmes
fatales. She once mused, “Women in Vegas…they’re totally in touch with
themselves—and they don’t give a damn!”
The art of Christina De Musée draws on experiences ranging from a stint as a
Vegas showgirl to three years of isolation in Libya.
(Click images to enlarge)
Time passed and the winds of change
cooled. De Musée endured a decade as a struggling artist, three years of
isolation in Libya, and a bout with polio. Traces of this struggle and her brush
with mortality are found in the faces and contemplative austerity of her recent
work. De Musée spent another formative period in Santa Fe, reflecting upon the
spiritual lessons her father imparted to her when she was a young girl. Her work
matured and began to take on more complexity. Far Niente (right) is a fine example
of this development and reflects her meditation on Demeter, the goddess of
abundance. A limited edition with gold leaf appliqué is hand-finished, numbered,
and signed by the artist. Deluxe editions on paper and canvas are also
available. Prices for De Musée’s prints and original works range from $750 to
$40,000.
De Musée Studio
310.822.5056
www.artdemusee.com
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