Russell Young Bardot on Motorcycle (Green), 2007 is a distinctive portrait of former French actress, singer, and model Brigitte Bardot. Having portrayed hedonistic and sexually emancipated women during her acting career, Bardot became known as an international sex symbol throughout the 1950s and 1960s.  During her tenure, she starred in 47 films, recorded over 60 songs, was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1985, and after retiring from the entertainment world she went on to create the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, a foundation dedicated to the protection of animals. She has been an international icon whose influence spread from fashion designers to musicians to artists such as Andy Warhol.

Russell Young depicts Bardot as the quintessential femme fatal; seductive and enthralling as she faces front and center for a full-body portrait, a layer of acrylic acid green paint thinly applied to the surface, inspiring a breadth of life and electricity to the composition. Sat upon the seat of a motorcycle, she faces the camera in a defiant pose; her left hand is placed upon her uplifted knee that rests against the bike, her right resting on the seat behind her. Blonde locks cascade past her shoulders, her dress scrunched up and made with a material that presents a matte reflection off every fold and crease of both her dress and thigh high boots. Her eyes gaze out at you unyielding, her mouth slightly parted as she lifts her head to stare down out towards the viewer. Despite there being little in the way of negative space, Young manages to use the chaotic nature of the background to enhance the vision of Bardot, juxtaposing her against a darker background while making sure she captures the full focus of the composition.

Created in 2007, this screenprint and acrylic paint in Acid Green on somerset paper is hand-signed by Russell Young, British (Northern England, 1959- ) in pencil on verso. This work is from the edition of 6 artist proofs on verso.

Provenance
1. Private Collection, United States

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Russell Young Bardot on Motorcycle (Green), 2007 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoice accompanying the sale of the work).

1. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Russell Young Bardot on Motorcycle (Green), 2007 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.