Who is Oprah Winfrey?
Oprah Winfrey is a highly influential American media mogul, talk show host, television producer, actress, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which aired from 1986 to 2011 and became one of the most-watched and successful talk shows in television history. Born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, she overcame a challenging childhood and early career setbacks to become one of the most recognizable and respected figures in the world.
Her talk show covered a wide range of topics, including personal development, self-improvement, relationships, health, and social issues. Winfrey had a unique ability to connect with her audience and guests on a deep emotional level, making her show a platform for insightful conversations and meaningful stories.
In addition to her talk show, she has also acted in movies and television shows, and she has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors. She established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, providing education and opportunities for underprivileged girls. Her philanthropic work extends to supporting various causes, including education, healthcare, and empowerment.
Winfrey's impact on popular culture and her contributions to the media and entertainment industry have earned her numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received in 2013. Her influence extends beyond her professional accomplishments, as she's known for her advocacy of self-improvement, personal growth, and social change.
Oprah Winfrey is known for her interest in art and she has amassed a significant collection of diverse pieces, ranging from paintings and sculptures to contemporary and traditional art. Her art assemblage is reflective of her personal taste and includes works by renowned artists from various backgrounds and styles.
Her appreciation for art is evident in her interviews and discussions, where she often talks about the emotional and intellectual connections she feels with the pieces she collects. Her assemblage is not only a source of personal enjoyment but also an expression of her support for artists and the cultural value of art.
Over the years, she has showcased some of her artworks through exhibitions and various media outlets. Her commitment to art and culture is yet another dimension of her multifaceted influence and interests.
Oprah Winfrey's eclectic art collection
Oprah Winfrey possesses exceptionally remarkable art pieces, encompassing pieces from artists such as Gustav Klimt, Richard Edward Miller, and Hovsep Pushman. Her artworks spans decorative art, furniture, fine art, and other assets that reflect her passions.
Winfrey's art assemblage is known to be quite diverse and eclectic, reflecting her wide-ranging interests and appreciation for different artistic styles and cultural backgrounds. Winfrey's art features works by both established and emerging artists. She has expressed interest in artists from various parts of the world, celebrating their unique perspectives and creative expressions. Her artworks spans a variety of artistic mediums, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and more. This diverse range allows her to appreciate the versatility of artistic expression.
She has often expressed her strong connection to her African heritage. Her collection includes a significant number of pieces from African and African-American artists, highlighting her commitment to representing diverse voices and narratives. Among the notable artists are Kerry James Marshall, recognized for his exploration of race and identity; Elizabeth Catlett, whose art centered on social justice; Betye Saar, known for thought-provoking assemblage art on race; and Dawoud Bey, whose impactful photography delves into the complexities of African-American identity, all of whom Winfrey admirably appreciates. She made a generous donation of $12 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, resulting in the naming of the museum's 350-seat theater in her honor.
The Oprah website showcases a tour of her California home's library, highlighting a pair of paintings by Harry Roseland. One particularly renowned artwork is Thomas Hart Benton's 1945 painting titled "Back from the Fields," which holds a place of honor above her mantel. Also featured is the 1926 sculpture "Standing Woman with Pleated Skirt" crafted by the French-American artist Gaston Lachaise.
Adorning her drawing room in her Indiana Farmhouse is the artwork "To the Highest Bidder" by American genre painter Harry Roseland. The painting portrays a slave woman standing on the auction block, accompanied by her young daughter who clings to her with unwavering strength. Winfrey has shared that this image serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who preceded her, emphasizing the significance of her continuous drive to forge ahead.
In 2015, upon the closure of Harpo Studios in Chicago, the media mogul organized an auction to part with her personal possessions. Among the items on the auction block were select pieces from Oprah Winfrey's assemblage of decorative art and furniture. Notably, the auction's spotlight shone on the esteemed "Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica" set, recognized as one of the auction's most valuable offerings. Additionally, an oil painting titled "The Little Mother" by Hovsep Pushman garnered estimated values ranging between $35,000 and $45,000. Another attention-grabber was "The Red Scarf," an artwork by Richard Edward Miller, depicting a nude woman gazing out a window, with an estimated valuation of $80,000 to $120,000.
Conducted by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago, the event featured a sole-owner auction comprising over 500 lots originating from media icon. The assortment encompassed a wide array of items, including English, French, and Continental furniture, decorative arts, paintings, prints, drawings, porcelain, crystal, silverware, memorabilia, clothing, and accessories. The majority of items were directly acquired from Oprah Winfrey's Chicago Water Tower apartment, with the auction's proceeds earmarked for the support of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
The auction boasted standout pieces, such as paintings by Francis Coates Jones and Maude Earl with price ranges between $15,000 and $25,000. Also in the limelight was an Austrian Giltwood Cartel Clock from around 1800, projected to sell for $2,000 to $4,000. For those seeking a memento of Winfrey, a Jorg and Olif Bicycle was available at an anticipated price of $200 to $400, catering to budget-conscious enthusiasts looking to acquire a piece linked to the media icon.
Two years later she made headlines by selling "Adele Bloch-Bauer II" for a staggering $150 million. This remarkable masterpiece, crafted by the acclaimed Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, bears profound significance in her journey. Back in 2006, she acquired the artwork at the Christie's auction house for a staggering sum of $87.9 million.
The painting is part of a series of portraits Klimt painted of Adele Bloch-Bauer, a prominent Viennese society woman. "Adele Bloch-Bauer II" captures Adele's elegance and allure in Klimt's signature style, characterized by intricate patterns, lavish ornamentation, and a harmonious blend of color and texture. The painting exudes a sense of opulence and refinement, reflecting the artistic and cultural milieu of its time.
Oprah Winfrey's connection to this masterpiece began with her viewing of the iconic film "Woman in Gold," which recounts the legal battle to reclaim artworks, including the famous "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I," that were wrongfully seized by the Nazis during World War II. While the film primarily focuses on the first portrait, she was captivated by Adele Bloch-Bauer's story and her enduring presence in the art world.
Her artworks are not limited to a specific era or style. She appreciates both contemporary and traditional artworks, showing a willingness to embrace the evolution of artistic expression. Winfrey often talks about the emotional resonance she feels with the artworks she collects. She views her collection as a way to connect with the stories and experiences behind the art, and she has shared that she only acquires pieces that deeply move her.
Selena Mattei
