La Dona's Treasures Up For Auction

The rather stunning picture above is a surrealist tribute to one of Mexico's most interesting characters. Maria Felix, better known as La Doña, was a Mexican film star who has been called the Mexican Marilyn Monroe and who recently inspired a line of jewelry and accessories by Cartier. The actress, who had nearly as many famous lovers as Marilyn did, was an inveterate collector paintings, furniture, couture gowns and jewelry. She died in 2002 at the age of 88 and her belongings will be auctioned off at Christie's in New York on July 17 and 18. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit the Mexican Red Cross. The painting was created by artist Leonora Carrington in 1965 and measures 79 x 70½ in and is estimated to sell for $500,000 to $700,000.

[via The Guardian]