De Lappe, Pele (American, 1916-2007). PORTRAIT OF THE ACTRESS LAUREN BACALL. Pencil, 1945. Signed "Pele" and dated "45" in pencil. 18 x 12 inches (sheet). In very good condition, but with a fold near the bottom of the sheet. Although not stated to be Bacall, the resemblance is clear. "Phyllis "Pele" Murdock de Lappe was an American artist, known for her social realist paintings, prints, and drawings. She also worked as a journalist, newspaper editor, illustrator, and political cartoonist. de Lappe had been a resident for many years in Berkeley, California and later, Petaluma, California." (Wikipedia). In her self-published memoir "Pele: A Passionate Journey Through Art and the Red Press" DeLappe mentions visiting and participating in dance marathons in New York in the 1930s.
