Lot 24179: LOUIS LUPAS (American)

LOUIS LUPAS (American)
Portrait of 35th U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, c.1961
Pastel on paper
28.5in. x 20in. (sight size). Framed
Signed and dated lower left: Lupas, 1961

Louis Lupas is widely acclaimed for his pastel portraits of Presidents, politicians, and other high-profile figures. Lupas first honed his drawing skills as an artist for the Herald Tribune's Theatre section. In the 1950s, Senator Barry Goldwater convinced Louis Lupas to move to Washington D.C., where he was soon solidly engaged creating portraits of high society. Many of Lupas' portraits were drawn from life, during portrait sittings. This stunning pastel drawing was drawn from life (Kennedy posed for him while President), and captures the vitality and charisma that made President John F. Kennedy one of America's most inspiring Presidents. Lupas' pastel strokes are bold, vigorous, and direct; they create an powerful portrait of JFK, complete with his hallmark blue eyes!