Portraits of cosmetics mogul headed to NYC auction

[April 09, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Helena Rubinstein, the self-made businesswoman who made a name for herself in the beauty industry, was also a patron of the arts and often sat for Salvador Dali and other celebrated artists.

Twenty portraits of her will be auctioned off at Sotheby's New York in two separate sales. Five paintings will be offered on May 3 and May 4; the others in October.

Among them is Dali's 1943 painting depicting Rubinstein chained to a rocky cliff by her jewels. The portrait is estimated to bring $1 million to $1.5 million on May 3. Rubinstein, who died in 1965, was a close friend and patron of the Surrealist artist.

The portraits are being sold by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation. They will be displayed at Sotheby's galleries beginning Saturday.

[Associated Press]

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