Jacqueline Kennedy Original Gouache Painting.

KENNEDY ONASSIS, Jacqueline [Aristotle Onassis].

$82,000.00

Item Number: 149752

Rare original gouache painting by Jacqueline Kennedy, painted and inscribed by her to Ari Onassis in October 1963. Gouache on paper, the painting depicts young Jacqueline and her sister Lee Radziwill waving farewell from the shore to Aristotle Onassis aboard his yacht with a school of dolphins and flying fish flanking the Greek goddess Amphitrite seated on a detailed blue seahorse in the sea between them. Inscribed by Jacqueline Kennedy in the lower right corner, “Au revoir, Ari — Merci Jackie Octobre 1963.” Jacqueline Kennedy’s romantic relationship with Aristotle Onassis began several years after they first met, although they were acquainted earlier. They had known each other socially since the late 1950s, when Jackie’s late husband, President John F. Kennedy, was in office, but their personal relationship grew closer in 1966, largely facilitated by Jackie’s sister, Lee Radziwill, who had been romantically involved with Onassis at the time. The connection between Jackie and Onassis became more significant following a period of intense personal loss for Jackie. In August 1963, the death of her infant son, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, followed by the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy, in November 1963, left Jackie emotionally vulnerable. During this time, she reportedly sought emotional support from Onassis. After the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968, Jackie’s grief intensified, and her relationship with Onassis became more public, culminating in their marriage on October 20, 1968. At the time, Jackie was 39 years old, and Onassis, a wealthy Greek shipping magnate, was a man of international renown. Their union marked a significant chapter in Jackie’s life, transitioning from the widow of a president to the wife of one of the wealthiest and most famous men in the world. Jacqueline would have send the present painting to Onassis when she was still very much in the public eye as First Lady, preparing for the upcoming presidential trip to Dallas, where JFK would be assassinated one month later. In fine condition. Triple matted and framed. The painting measures 8.25 inches by 6.25 inches. The entire piece measures 22 inches by 21 inches. A very rare, charming and whimsical original painting by one of the most iconic and admired First Ladies in American history.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is often regarded as one of the most iconic and admired First Ladies in American history. Her grace, elegance, and poise defined her time in the White House, and she became a symbol of sophistication both in America and around the world. Jackie’s intelligence, style, and deep commitment to culture, the arts, and historic preservation left a lasting legacy. Her role in shaping the image of the First Lady—balancing public responsibility with personal dignity—has made her an enduring figure in American cultural history.