The Egyptian Woman Whose Painting Sold for 4.7 Million Pounds in Berlin
Who's the Egyptian woman in the painting that sold for 4.7 million pounds in Berlin? Her name is Ne'mat Aloui – originally Ne'mat Khairy – who was the daughter of Ahmed Khairy Pasha, a prominent official in Egypt during the late 19th century. She later took the surname Aloui from her husband, the aristocrat and industrialist Aziz Alawi, who introduced air-conditioning to Egypt and had a passion for surrealism. The couple moved to Paris in the 20’s and mixed in the literary and artistic circles. Ne'mat quickly became a famous model and muse for artists like Man Ray, Lee Miller and George Hoyningen-Huene, in photography and fine haute couture. In 1929 she became the “first oriental model to be featured in the pages of American Vogue.” Her symmetrical features were described as the “profile seen on pharaohs in Egyptian royal statuary.”
After her divorce, which was brought about by an affair between her husband and Lee Miller, she met the renowned author Rainer Maria Rilke, whom she deeply admired. They shared a mysterious love story until his untimely death from cancer. Later, it was confirmed that she married Russian Prince Nikolay Mestchersky. Her life, marked by beauty, drama, love, and mystery, made her a significant cultural icon despite the numerous rumors and tragedies that surrounded her.
Images:
Hoyningen-Huene, George. (1935)
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky, dit) (1890, États-Unis - 1976, France) via centrepompidou
Madame Eloui Bey in Lucien Lelong, Hoyningen-Huene, George
Lee Miller, Nimet Eloui Bey, Circa 1930. Via www.mutualart.com
Sources:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139003015/irina-mestchersky
