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