Famed abstract artist Brice Marden says he had a “non-platonic” affair with former Vogue staffer Helen Lee Schifter — after his wife sensationally sought revenge by publicly slapping her in a busy restaurant.
Helen Marden, also a painter, confirms she slapped Schifter — who is married to Tim Schifter, co-creator of Gwen Stefani‘s L.A.M.B — in front of a packed room at West Village favorite Bar Pitti.
But Schifter desperately denied an affair to us, claiming her relationship with Brice, 72, was merely that of “artist and muse” and he had apologized for his wife. Now, though, it appears she might be better-suited to being a storyteller’s muse. Following our story yesterday on the showdown, Brice told us: “She was not my muse. Our relationship was not platonic. I did not apologize for my wife, who slapped her.”
Sources tell us Schifter and Brice — hailed by critics as “the most profound abstract painter of the past four decades” — are rumored to have been close for up to a year. One source said she is “an infamous social climber” claiming to be a confidante of Peter Brant and Aerin Lauder.
Her carefully constructed veneer was blown apart when Helen Marden walked up to her at Bar Pitti, and said, according to sources, “Are you the [bleep] that has been [bleep]ing my husband?” Witnesses say the entire restaurant burst into applause.
Helen Marden told us in a statement last night: “I was cold and calm. I did not lurch. I was not in a rage. I slapped her. We have been married 43 years. I am not interested in this story anymore.”
Schifter insisted, “Brice has been a mentor and a friend. Out of respect for their marriage, I have no further comment.” Husband Tim said, “I stand by my wife completely.”
Schifter summers at her Hamptons home. At a recent party, she was quoted asking a waiter about the hors d’oeuvres, “Does this have onion in it?” dropping it, and declaring, “Not at cocktail parties!” Unfortunately, the onion isn’t the only thing that stinks.