My first introduction to Tamara de Lempicka was about a week ago within a Roxie Theater weekly roundup email with a trailer for the first retrospective film of the artist’s life, The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival. Safe to say, she had me at hello. Coincidentally, with a documentary screening and current exhibition at the de Young Museum I set out to first learn as much as I could during the film, and separately spend an afternoon at the museum. I fell in love hard and fast and truth be told; it’s exhilarating when someone special is in town, and you want to spend as much time with them as possible.

The Roxie is an iconic independent movie theater in the heart of the Mission District. It’s one of my favorite places to escape. The concession stand is full of all the must haves- Red Vines, Junior Mints, and earl grey with milk and honey. If you’re looking to watch a David Lynch or Jane Birkin film, this is the best place to do so.

I underestimated the crowd that would greet me at the weekend matinee. Despite arriving 15 minutes before the film’s start time I was greeted by a sold out box office and queued into an eager “rush line”. As fate will have it I was one of ten in line permitted entry.

There are many aspects of Tamara’s life that I resonated with, not excluding a penchant for being subject to depressive spells and bedridden for months. As is the artist’s way, I was glad that I dragged myself out of my own stupor and made it to the screening. Her body of work visually cues another artist that I have recently discovered, Anna Weyant who undoubtedly is on the same caliber of important and powerful women.

“But I don’t like people to flatter my clothes. Why? I tell you. When I was very young, people would say, ‘Tamara, you are gorgeous, what beautiful eyes you have, what beautiful hair – oh, you are beautiful.’ Now they say, ‘What a beautiful hat, what a beautiful dress, what a beautiful ring,’ but they never say, ‘How beautiful you are.’ The world changes. First they notice you, then they notice your things. So you had better have beautiful things when you grow old.”

— Tamara de Lempicka

After the film’s close the director Julie Rubio was in conversation on a panel of co-producers and art historians moderated by SF Chronicle’s G. Allen Johnson. This was such a unique experience, and an excellent opportunity to learn not only about the production’s journey over the last five years but also to glean a little bit more wisdom and advice from those close to Tamara de Lempicka.

“I live life in the margins of society, and the rules of normal society don’t apply to those who live on the fringe.”

— Tamara de Lempicka

Previews of Tamara de Lempicka’s first major museum retrospective in the United States:

It was such a beautiful day and an excellent opportunity to take a slow approach and opt for a muni ride across the city.

I would highly recommend the audio tour. After watching the documentary film, I recognized the voice of the show’s co-curator Furio Rinaldi’s. His interpretation of a piece entitled, The Girl’s was to the likes of the painting symbolizing “a sapphic Adam and Eve”, which really stood out to me. I usually opt out of audio tours but his narration alone has me reconsidering my next museum experience.

What I most enjoyed about the exhibit was the show’s curation. Walking through the gallery it felt a seamless journey through Tamara’s life in each of the rooms. I was most struck when turning a corner and seeing Portrait of a Man (Tadeusz Lempicki). His figure was magnetic and appeared so prominent- like a starting place, dizzying almost with everything and everyone swallowed into an insignificant backdrop. I was most hoping to see Portrait de Madame Allan Bott, which was not included in the retrospective instead I’m glad I was able to come face to face with Her Sadness.

After viewing The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival, I gushed to a friend about my excitement for the exhibit. They couldn’t help but share an experience at an interactive play they once attended entitled, Tamara. A ten act play held in a home in Los Angeles with 5 acts before dinner and 5 acts to follow. Each room of the house held a different scene occurring simultaneously . I have to say I’d be thrilled to have a ticket to see this acted out live, but again it was nice that the exhibit was a coherent unfolding of events told through painting.

*Spoiler Alert* I personally feel like viewing photos from an exhibit prior to attending in person cheapens the experience somehow. However, these pieces are riveting and I’d highly recommend watching them come to life in person in addition to reading on.

My two personal favorite paintings in the exhibition: Portrait of a Man (Tadeusz Lempicki) & Her Sadness

“I wanted it to look like people were running out leading their busy lives.” -Tamara de Lempicka

A sculpture entitled, Venus by Boris Lovet-Lorski.

I can’t quite explain it, but I’m a sucker for John the Baptist depicted in religious iconography.

I had the most personal connection with: Portrait of a Young Woman in a Cloche Hat, it immediately made me think of a cloche hat my grandmother (born in the 1930’s) gifted me some time ago from her personal and extensive collection of hats.