We proudly champion Vladimir Tretchikoff’s work - not just as print sellers or license holders, but as true believers in his artistry. We've seen firsthand how his images have captivated generations, from the living rooms of South Africa to gallery walls across the globe. And we've long held a quiet certainty: Lady from the Orient is not just another pretty face. It’s a masterpiece.
Now, the art world has finally caught up.
On Tuesday night, at a dramatic live auction hosted by Strauss & Co, Lady from the Orient sold for a jaw-dropping R31,110,000 (US$1,735,409 / £1,285,418), setting a new world record for any work by Tretchikoff. The bidding was intense - a flurry of 89 bids - with the painting ultimately claimed by an anonymous telephone bidder who narrowly outpaced a determined buyer in the room in Johannesburg.
Lady from the Orient Has Arrived - And She’s Not Leaving Quietly
This is not just a portrait. It’s a moment captured in time, infused with emotion and technical brilliance. It belongs in a museum - and now, it belongs to history.
This sale sets a new world record for any Tretchikoff painting, eclipsing the previous record held by Chinese Girl, which sold for £982,050 in London back in 2013.
We’ve been saying it all along - Lady from the Orient is more than a print favourite. It’s a cultural icon. A fine art masterpiece. And now, officially, a record-breaking work.
It does make you wonder…
If Lady from the Orient now holds the crown, what would Chinese Girl fetch today? Double? Triple? More?
One thing’s for sure — the art world is waking up to what Tretchikoff supporters have known for decades. This isn't kitsch. It’s legacy.
For the True Fans - This Moment Is Yours
To the passionate supporters who’ve stood by Tretchikoff's work for years - who’ve collected the prints, defended the legacy, and filled their homes with his unmistakable imagery - this win is yours, too.
You didn’t need a world record to tell you what you already knew.
But now that the rest of the world has caught up, there’s no better time to celebrate. Whether you’re new to his art or a lifelong admirer, you can still own a piece of this incredible story.
We offer official, licensed reproductions of Lady from the Orient, Chinese Girl, and other iconic Tretchikoff works — printed with fidelity to the original color, scale, and spirit of the paintings. These are not just decorations. They’re part of an ongoing cultural legacy.
👉 https://tretchikoff.co.za/collections/everything-lady-from-orient-the-peoples-portraits
The art world is finally giving Tretchikoff his flowers.
Let’s make sure they bloom in your home, too.