Joan Brown (American, 1938-1991) Portrait of Flo Allen, 1957 12 x 9in (30 x 23cm)
Joan Brown (American, 1938-1991)
Portrait of Flo Allen, 1957
inscribed 'Joan B' (lower left) and signed and dated 'Joan Brown 1957' on the reverse
oil on masonite
12 x 9in (30 x 23cm)
Sold for US$ 18,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Provenance:
    Collection of Flo Allen, San Francisco, California
    Dr. G. Austin Conkey, San Francisco, California (gift from Flo Allen, thus by descent to the present owner)

    Note:
    Legendary actress/model Flo Allen posed for five decades of prominent West Coast artists including Diego Rivera, Elmer Bischoff, Wayne Thiebaud, Nathan Oliveira, Frank Lobdell and others. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Flo preferred to model nude because "You can't think with your clothes on." When she started modeling, the going rate for nude models was 75 cents an hour, but in 1945 she founded the Model's Guild to improve pay for artist's models. Flo died in her Northern California home in 1997.

Category: Fine Art / Made in California


Auction terms and conditions

Similar items