Sold For $3,204
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Original portrait painting of actor Mickey Rooney by legendary singer Tony Bennett under his real name of Anthony Benedetto. The painting, which is accomplished in watercolor on 9 x 12.5 artist paper, depicts Rooney in later age, wearing a beige turtle neck, with his hair slightly unkempt, and his chin and cheeks speckled with gray and white stubble. The painting is signed by Bennett in the lower right corner, “Benedetto.” Archivally cloth-matted and framed to an overall size of 20.5 x 24; the reverse bears a Central Art Framing of New York label, where Bennett personally selected and purchased this frame. Includes an ANS from Bennett to Rooney, handwritten in ballpoint on his off-white 7 x 5 personal stationery card: “Dear ‘Mickey,’ Linda Solomon, photographed you, which inspired me to do an interpretation of the photo – with great admiration, Tony Bennett. P.S. Hope you like it!” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original cardboard shipping box, and an issue of Art & Antiques magazine from April 2001, which features Bennett on the front cover with main article title, “Tony Bennett Paints the Town.” The offered Rooney watercolor is pictured on page 68.
