Lopez, Antonio. (1943 - 1987)
Portrait of June Weir-Baron
Large-format portrait in pencil and watercolors in the hand of the leading fashion illustrator whose work appeared in such publications as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Interview and The New York Times. Titled and signed in the lower margin "June by Antonio / 1985." 11 x 14 inches. In fine condition.From the collection of June Weir-Baron (1928 - 2015), Fashion Historian and Journalist, the first woman Vice President at Fairchild Publications, a major force in her capacity as Fashion Editor and Assistant publisher of Women's Wear Daily and W, as an influential editor at Vogue, Executive Fashion Editor at Harper's Bazaar, deputy Style Editor for The New York Times Sunday Magazine and Contributing Editor at Mirabella.
In his influential designs, frequently Lopez explored themes of queer desire and race in his art through cultural references to subjects such as Josephine Baker and The Wild One. Several books collecting his illustrations have been published and in his obituary, the New York Times called him a "major fashion illustrator." Working in close collaboration with Juan Eugene Ramos and Charles James, he also was an associate of Karl Lagerfeld and is credited with the discoveries of Jessica Lange, Jerry Hall and Grace Jones. As seen here, he generally signed his works as "Antonio." He died at the age of 43 from Kaposi's Sarcoma as a complication of AIDS. His work is seldom encountered on the market and this is a fine example with extraordinary provenance. (15416)
Art/Sculpture Art & Design