The Collection of Larry and Clarice Rivers
This group of works by Larry Rivers, Clarice Rivers, and their close circle of friends in our Modern & Contemporary Fine Art & Design sale offers an intimate glimpse into the creative world they inhabited in post-war Paris and New York.
Larry Rivers (1923-2002) and Clarice Rivers (1937-2024) lived bohemian lives of artists in a rarified world of fellow artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers. Clarice Price arrived in New York City as a young photographer from her native Wales in 1960. She was flown to New York by the already-famous Pop artist Mr. Rivers who made her acquaintance through the insular New York art-world network, hiring Clarice to be an au pair to his young son.
The two married in 1961 and spent the following year in Paris living on the Impasse Ronsin, a small artist’s enclave that was home to Yves Klein, Jean Tinguely and his wife, Niki de Saint Phalle. The Rivers and the Tinguely/Saint Phalles became fast friends, creating a salon-style community of creative spirits who inspired and influenced each other.
Saint Phalle credited a drawing that Rivers made of Clarice while pregnant as the catalyst for the major shift in her practice from early “shooting paintings” to the bulbous and boldly painted female figures that made Saint Phalle famous. Clarice played the role of muse with wit and exuberance, both for Saint Phalle as well as her husband. The couple had two daughters, Gwynne and Emma, and an open marriage that their friend and poet Frank O’Hara described as being “of staggering complexity.” Clarice eventually moved out of the family loft to a space of her own in 1967. The Rivers remained close and never divorced.
Works from the Collection of Larry and Clarice Rivers highlights the personal relationships between the Rivers and other artists during a time a fertile artistic production in Paris and New York. Many works are heavily inscribed and dedicated to the Rivers. Highlights include paintings and works on paper by Larry Rivers, Willem de Kooning, Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, as well as photographs by Clarice Rivers of notable artist friends.
CATALOGUE ONLINE: Friday, November 7
GALLERY PREVIEW:
Friday, November 7: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, November 8: 11am-5pm
Sunday, November 9: Closed
Monday, November 10: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, November 11: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, November 12: 9am – 5pm
Thursday, November 13: 9am – 5pm
Friday, November 14: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, November 15: 11am-5pm
Sunday, November 16: Closed
Monday, November 17: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, November 18: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, November 19: 9am – 5pm