Copley's Circle: Frieze Masters Viewing Room

October 7 – December 15, 2020
  • Celebrating the formidable influence of artist, dealer, and patron, William N. Copley (1919–1996), Copley's Circle brings together works by artists who were collaborators, confidants, included in exhibitions organized by Copley, collected by Copley, or championed by him through critical texts and grants. These include Richard Artschwager, Judith Bernstein, Joseph Cornell, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Leonor Fini, Richard Hamilton, Ray Johnson, Les Lalanne, Roy Lichtenstein, Man Ray, Jim Nutt, Ed Ruscha, Peter Saul, Dorothea Tanning, Andy Warhol, and H.C. Westermann.
  • In 1948, Copley opened The Copley Galleries in Beverly Hills. Though the gallery mounted just six shows, it signaled the...
    In 1948, Copley opened The Copley Galleries in Beverly Hills. Though the gallery mounted just six shows, it signaled the pivotal role Copley would play in creating a link between the European avant-garde and post-war art in America. Solo exhibitions of René Magritte, Joseph Cornell, Roberto Matta, Man Ray and Yves Tanguy were followed by the first Max Ernst retrospective in the United States.
  • WILLIAM N. COPLEY Homage à Man Ray 1950 oil on linen 20 x 16 inches 50.8 x 40.6 cm WILLIAM N. COPLEY Homage à Man Ray 1950 oil on linen 20 x 16 inches 50.8 x 40.6 cm WILLIAM N. COPLEY Homage à Man Ray 1950 oil on linen 20 x 16 inches 50.8 x 40.6 cm WILLIAM N. COPLEY Homage à Man Ray 1950 oil on linen 20 x 16 inches 50.8 x 40.6 cm

    WILLIAM N. COPLEY
    Homage à Man Ray
    1950
    oil on linen

    20 x 16 inches
    50.8 x 40.6 cm

  • "Bill Copley's work is to die for…"

    - ANDY WARHOL

  • ANDY WARHOL Man Ray 1974 silkscreen, enamel, and acrylic on canvas 40 x 40 inches 101.6 x 101.6 cm ANDY WARHOL Man Ray 1974 silkscreen, enamel, and acrylic on canvas 40 x 40 inches 101.6 x 101.6 cm

    ANDY WARHOL
    Man Ray
    1974
    silkscreen, enamel, and acrylic on canvas

    40 x 40 inches
    101.6 x 101.6 cm

  • In 1951, two years after the closing of the Copley Galleries, the artist moved to Paris. Occupying a studio in...

    William N. Copley and Gloria de Herrera playing chess, circa 1950, photo by Man Ray. Image © Man Ray Trust / Adagp, Paris 2020

    In 1951, two years after the closing of the Copley Galleries, the artist moved to Paris. Occupying a studio in the famed Impasse Ronsin after WWII, Copley’s circle grew to include Modernists and Dadaists, as well as notable artists who held ateliers there, such as Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne. Copley also became friendly with artists whom he championed at the Copley Galleries, including René Magritte who visited the younger artist at his Longpont residence in the late 1950s.
  • Works
    • Man Ray, Tortoise, 1944
      Man Ray, Tortoise, 1944
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    • William N. Copley, Homage à Man Ray, 1950
      William N. Copley, Homage à Man Ray, 1950
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    • Andy Warhol, Man Ray, 1974
      Andy Warhol, Man Ray, 1974
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    • Man Ray, Chess Set and Table, c. 1940s
      Man Ray, Chess Set and Table, c. 1940s
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    • Max Ernst, Jeune femme en forme de fleur, Great River, Long Island, 1944
      Max Ernst, Jeune femme en forme de fleur, Great River, Long Island, 1944
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    • Max Ernst, Jeune femme en forme de fleur, Great River, Long Island, 1944/1955
      Max Ernst, Jeune femme en forme de fleur, Great River, Long Island, 1944/1955
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    • Max Ernst, Oh Hercules oh Frau Cules, 1948
      Max Ernst, Oh Hercules oh Frau Cules, 1948
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    • William N. Copley, Untitled, 1964
      William N. Copley, Untitled, 1964
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    • Leonor Fini, Asphodèle, 1965
      Leonor Fini, Asphodèle, 1965
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    • Dorothea Tanning, Different People, 1986
      Dorothea Tanning, Different People, 1986
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    • William N. Copley, Untitled (Lalanne Duck), 1960s
      William N. Copley, Untitled (Lalanne Duck), 1960s
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    • François-Xavier Lalanne, Metaphore (canard bateau) de Francois, 2002/2007
      François-Xavier Lalanne, Metaphore (canard bateau) de Francois, 2002/2007
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    • William N. Copley, Untitled ("à René et Georgette CPLY") (Painted bottle), 1959
      William N. Copley, Untitled ("à René et Georgette CPLY") (Painted bottle), 1959
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    • Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Soap box), c. 1956-58
      Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Soap box), c. 1956-58
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    • William N. Copley, Mack n Madge, 1962
      William N. Copley, Mack n Madge, 1962
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    • S.M.S., Deluxe Set, 1968
      S.M.S., Deluxe Set, 1968
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    • Marcel Duchamp, cover for S.M.S. issue no. 2, 1968
      Marcel Duchamp, cover for S.M.S. issue no. 2, 1968
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    • Roy Lichtenstein, Folded Hat [signed], from S.M.S. issue no. 4 (Deluxe Set), 1968
      Roy Lichtenstein, Folded Hat [signed], from S.M.S. issue no. 4 (Deluxe Set), 1968
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    • Richard Hamilton, A Little Bit of Roy Lichtenstein for...., 1964
      Richard Hamilton, A Little Bit of Roy Lichtenstein for...., 1964
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    • Richard Hamilton, The Solomon R. Guggenheim, 1965
      Richard Hamilton, The Solomon R. Guggenheim, 1965
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    • Richard Artschwager, Door, Window, Table, Basket, Mirror, Rug, 1974
      Richard Artschwager, Door, Window, Table, Basket, Mirror, Rug, 1974
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    • Ray Johnson, Untitled (SALE, Ceci n’est pas une pipe), 1974-86-91
      Ray Johnson, Untitled (SALE, Ceci n’est pas une pipe), 1974-86-91
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    • Jim Nutt, "walk this way please.", 1975
      Jim Nutt, "walk this way please.", 1975
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    • H.C. Westermann, Scarf Joint, 1970
      H.C. Westermann, Scarf Joint, 1970
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    • Andy Warhol, Still-Life (Hammer and Sickle), 1977
      Andy Warhol, Still-Life (Hammer and Sickle), 1977
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    • Judith Bernstein, One Panel Horizontal / Vertical, 1978
      Judith Bernstein, One Panel Horizontal / Vertical, 1978
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    • Peter Saul, Rembrandt, 1988
      Peter Saul, Rembrandt, 1988
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    • William N. Copley, Untitled (Apples & Oranges), 1986
      William N. Copley, Untitled (Apples & Oranges), 1986
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    • Ed Ruscha, Nice Hot Vegetables, 1976
      Ed Ruscha, Nice Hot Vegetables, 1976
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