Girl Power

It's easy to warm up to this fantastic watercolor painting of a woman in a fuzzy black hood. This headliner from the Pantages Portfolio was painted by Ludwig Bemelmans in Madrid in 1955. With just a few simple brush strokes and the bold use of color, he brings this stunning woman to life.

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was born in what is now part of Italy. He came to the United States in 1917 and became a citizen a year later in 1918. He worked at hotels during the day and painted at night, but had minimal artistic success through the early 1930's. Bemelmans started working on children's books in 1934. His big success came in 1939 with the first Madeline book, published by Simon & Schuster. This book starred Madeline, a 7-year-old girl who attended boarding school in Paris. He would go on to write seven books in the Madeline series, the last published posthumously in 1999. The story's heroine was named after Bemelmans' wife, Madeleine "Mimi" Freund. Bemelmans' only work on display to the public is a mural he drew on the walls of the Bemelmans Bar, located in New York City's historic Carlyle Hotel.

What's The Password?

Sit and stay awhile. And that's probably the exact marching orders the sword-bearing fellow pictured here received! This dramatic watercolor, titled "Guardian of the Harem," was painted by British artist Francis Dicksee. It does not appear this "security professional" is letting anyone in - or out! This work is another featured highlight from The Pantages Portfolio, and is a great example of the breadth, depth, and diversity of this marvelous art collection.

Sir Francis Bernard Dicksee (1853-1928) is best known for his detailed and meticulous paintings featuring literary, historical, and legendary scenes, as well as his portraits of well dressed women. Dicksee's father was an artist who taught him how to paint from an early age on, and was supportive of his work. Dicksee studied at the Royal Academy in his late teens; he would be elected to the Academy in 1891. His work was featured at the first exhibition of the Society of Graphic Art in London in 1921. Dicksee ascended to the Presidency of the Royal Academy in 1924. Just a year later, in 1925, he was knighted, and then named to the Royal Victorian Order by King George V in 1927.