The portrait of a woman inspired by Japan

The so-called “Rooftop Concert” in London is considered to be the last live concert by the Beatles. A special performance under the motto “Free & Outside” on the roof of her record company, on a drafty afternoon on January 30, 1969.

But the Fab Four had, as we all know, ended their tour years before: too much world star stress, too much shrill screaming. From then on, the men felt more comfortable in the studio.

In Japan in 1966, they played five concerts in just three days in the legendary “Nippon Budokan Arena” in the Bay Area of ​​Tokyo. During concert breaks, they barricaded themselves in the presidential suite of the Tokyo Hilton. There, in a kind of skip act, a work of art was created that later became known as “Images of a Woman”.

It manifests a magical moment in the history of the Beatles

This painting, which many experts believe is the only work of art created by all four Beatles together (!), will be offered for sale on February 1, 2024 at the New York branch of the British auction house “Christie’s”.

“Images of a Woman” has an estimate of between $400,000 and $600,000. “It manifests a magical moment in the history of the Beatles,” says Christie’s painting expert Casey Rogers unctuously in a telephone interview.

“It is a very special rarity. A work on paper outside of their music catalog that is a physical relic. A tangible object with contributions from all four Beatles,” Casey said of the 21.5 x 31 inch work.

Wonderful souvenir, unique work of art, legendary thing, according to the eulogy. “It probably appeals to a much broader cross-section of collectors. .. A wonderful work that tells history and stories,” said the auction specialist.

The creation of the picture is also remarkable because the Fab Four only spent around 100 hours on the Far Eastern island during their 1966 Nippon tour; If you believe the official Beatles on-the-road chronicle.

The certified art connoisseurs at ROLLING STONE analyzed the work in detail. Just this much: The round, whitish element on which the Liverpool four signed the colorful work is definitely reminiscent of a beer mat.

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