Woman III
Encyclopedia
Woman III is a painting by abstract expressionist painter Willem de Kooning
. Woman III is one of a series of six paintings by de Kooning done between 1951 and 1953 in which the central theme was a woman. It measures 68 by 48½ inches (1.7 m × 1.2 m) and was completed in 1953.
From late 70s to 1994 this painting was part of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
collection, but after the revolution
in 1979, this painting could not be shown because of strict rules set by the government about the visual arts and what they depict. Finally, in 1994 it was quietly traded by Thomas Ammann
Fine Art to David Geffen
for the remainder of the 16th century Persian manuscript, Tahmasbi Shahnameh.
In November 2006, the painting was sold by Geffen to billionaire Steven A. Cohen
for $137.5 million, making it the second most expensive painting ever sold.
Willem de Kooning
Willem de Kooning was a Dutch American abstract expressionist artist who was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands....
. Woman III is one of a series of six paintings by de Kooning done between 1951 and 1953 in which the central theme was a woman. It measures 68 by 48½ inches (1.7 m × 1.2 m) and was completed in 1953.
From late 70s to 1994 this painting was part of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art is an art museum in Tehran, Iran.Inaugurated in 1977, and built adjacent to Tehran's Laleh Park, the museum was designed by Iranian architect Kamran Diba, who employed elements from traditional Persian architecture. The building can be listed as a contemporary...
collection, but after the revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
in 1979, this painting could not be shown because of strict rules set by the government about the visual arts and what they depict. Finally, in 1994 it was quietly traded by Thomas Ammann
Thomas Ammann
Thomas E. Ammann was a leading Swiss art dealer in Impressionist and Twentieth Century Art and major collector of Post-war and Contemporary Art.-Life:...
Fine Art to David Geffen
David Geffen
David Geffen is an American record executive, film producer, theatrical producer and philanthropist. Geffen is noted for creating Asylum Records in 1970, Geffen Records in 1980, and DGC Records in 1990...
for the remainder of the 16th century Persian manuscript, Tahmasbi Shahnameh.
In November 2006, the painting was sold by Geffen to billionaire Steven A. Cohen
Steven A. Cohen
Steven "Steve" A. Cohen is an American hedge fund manager. He is the founder of SAC Capital Advisors, a Stamford, Connecticut-based hedge fund focusing primarily on equity market strategies....
for $137.5 million, making it the second most expensive painting ever sold.