Kay Sage

(United States of America, 25/06/1898 - 08/01/1963)

Small Portrait (1950)

Born in New York to a wealthy family, Sage travelled extensively in Europe with her mother, particularly in Italy, where she developed fluency in French and Italian along with a deep appreciation for art. Sage studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., and later in Italy, where she married Prince Ranieri di San Faustino in 1925. However, the constraints of aristocratic life led her to seek greater artistic freedom.

In 1937, Sage moved to Paris and became immersed in the Surrealist movement, forming connections with artists like Yves Tanguy and Giorgio de Chirico. Her early works, influenced by the metaphysical style, evolved into compositions featuring desolate landscapes and enigmatic structures, reflecting themes of isolation and introspection. After marrying Tanguy in 1940, the couple relocated to Connecticut, where they continued to create and exhibit their art.

Sage's paintings are characterised by their precise, geometric forms and subdued colour palettes, conveying a sense of melancholy and timelessness, exemplifying her unique approach to Surrealism. Following Tanguy's sudden death in 1955, Sage's work took on even more somber tones, and she began exploring collage as her eyesight deteriorated.

Despite personal challenges, Sage remained active in the art world, organising exhibitions and supporting fellow artists. Her legacy has been revisited in recent years, with exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, highlighting her contributions to Surrealism and her role as a pioneering female artist.

Sage died by suicide on January 8, 1963, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate for its haunting beauty and introspective depth, captivating audiences more than six decades after her death.

Image: Kay Sage, Small Portrait (1950). Oil on canvas, 36.83 x 28.89 cm. Vassar College collection.