When Beltran Masses painted Joan and Douglas

The Cuban-born, Spanish artist Federico Beltran Masses (1885-1949) is one of art history’s more colourful characters. Beltran Masses settled in Paris in 1916, and is best known for his dramatic portraits of seductive women, a selection of which can be seen in an exhibition of his works at London’s Stair Sainty gallery (until 24 March). The show features 16 paintings made between 1911 and 1934—highlights include his most scandalous work, Salome (1918). But Beltra