Living with Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog

Whietely’s “Tahiti,” painted while he lived at the Chelsea Hotel expected to bring in 2.2 million

In May, Brett Whietely’s “Tahiti” was auctioned by the Chelsea 23rd Street Corporation, the former owner of the Chelsea Hotel.   It will be reoffered for sale in Melbourne in July.  According to The Sydney Morning Herald,  "...Paul Gauguin on the Eve of His Attempted Suicide, Tahiti, has been shown in public only once, during an exhibition in New York’s Marlborough Gallery in 1968. Like many other works produced by Whiteley during his time in New York, it never left the US. His other works painted at the Chelsea include two portraits of Dylan (one of which is missing)."

Well, there is that other matter regarding the two Brett Whietely’s that hung for many years over the desk in the lobby.  “Tahiti,” as far as we know, never hung in the Chelsea Hotel instead it appears it was part of a private collection. 

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/brett-whiteley-painting-used-to-pay-rent-at-chelsea-hotel-up-for-sale-20140628-zspbf.html#ixzz368Lrwbcb

Photo:Jason South

Happy Birthday to Chelsea Hotel Legend Stanley Bard

Stanley Bard and his wife Phyllis celebrated Stanley's 80th birthday in style earlier this month by dining at El Quijote. Stanley said that one of his all time favorite dishes was El Quijote's Chicken Villeroy, but he ordered something different just to change it up on this particular occasion, looked like the Fish in Green Sauce to me, another yummy dish. Phyllis also recommends the baked chicken.  "It's the best in town," she said.  Here's to Stanley celebrating many more birthday's to come in El Quijote.  The famous off-key pink guerrilla was no where in sight. 

(photo by Rita Barros)