If you’re in the mood for a little glamour and sophistication, you simply cannot miss the Tamara de Lempicka exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The show is a stunning tribute to the Art Deco icon, whose signature style captured the dazzling energy of 1920s Paris and the boldness of Hollywood’s elite. Lempicka’s work, full of cool elegance and sensuality, radiates a sense of high-fashion, dramatic flair, and a little bit of mystery—a perfect mix that’s both timeless and completely captivating.
Lempicka’s ability to seamlessly blend Cubism, the Renaissance, and fashion design is nothing short of captivating, creating a signature style that’s all her own. You’ll see elements of each throughout her work, but what makes her stand out is how she merged them into her own vision, always with an eye toward glamour and refinement. As the first American museum retrospective of her work, (after participating in over 20 exhibits worldwide) this show not only highlights her artistic genius but also provides a glimpse into her fascinating and unconventional life. Lempicka wasn’t just an artist—she was a force, a muse to herself, who boldly lived life on her terms, loving men and women and
Lempicka’s story is as colorful as her paintings. She escaped persecution in Poland, fled Russia after the revolution, and ultimately made Houston her second home. Despite pulling away from the art world in the 1950s, she would go on to experience a revival in the 1970s, with her works becoming beloved by celebrities like Madonna, Elton John and Barbra Streisand—who even contributed an appreciation of her work to the exhibition catalogue.
For those of you who appreciate more than just art, this exhibition also features exceptional pieces from the MFAH’s Art Deco collection, along with stunning photographs that help further place Lempicka’s work in its cultural context. If you love fashion, design, or anything glamorous, this is one exhibition you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Art Deco or discovering Lempicka for the first time, there’s something here that will captivate your imagination and leave you wanting more.
The Tamara de Lempicka exhibition runs through May 26, 2025, so be sure to visit before it closes. Trust me, this is one stop on the Houston art scene that’s worth every moment!
Editor’s Note: Rarely, after viewing many of the breath-taking exhibitions I’ve been privilegded to preview at MFA-Houston, have I felt this engaged as I did after viewing Lempicka, seeing the fabulously rich paintings in person and listening to the narrative of MFA Curator Alison De Lima Green and the select members of the artists family available to add their personal commentary on their famous ancestor. Details on her Houston life made for an extra interesting insight into the artist and her heirs. Special thank you to Tamara de Lempicka’s granddaughter Victoria de Lempicka and great-granddaughter Marisa de Lempicka. Also available to chat with us was the Lempicka documentary filmmaker Julie Rubio with insights into the filming of that insight into the artist to be available to view beginning this weekend (March 15 at MFAH and following dates at both MFAH and River Oaks Theater). Thank you also to fellow colleague and great friend Catherine Anspon, whose article in both this month’s issue of Paper City Magazine and online at papercity.com is a must read for more great information on this fascinating artist! XO, Roz!
What I love about the Gucci show is that the designs were wearable! Also, the MFA exhibit is breathtaking! I have already bought tickets to the movie.