Nikolai Konstantinovich Kalmakov, 1873-1955

The Collection of Carl Laszlo, Basel

Kalmakoff, L'Ange de l'Abime 1873-1955 et les peintres du Mir Iskousstva, Musée-galerie de la Seita, Paris, 1986,  plate no.10 (illustrated)

The sheet appears sound. There is some light smudging and rubbing to the pigment in places. Held in a gold painted moulded plaster frame and under glass. Unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Kalmakov first came to the public's attention with his costume designs for Oscar Wilde's Salome at the Kommisarzhevsky Theatre in 1908. Later, from 1912 to 1916, he exhibited with the World of Art group, and his works from this period are strongly indebted to Leon Bakst, displaying a penchant for the colourful world of the Orient.
She rides a Peacock from 1910 is a rare and wonderful example of Kalmakov's early oeuvre. The few surviving works from this period are all characterised by mysterious organic shapes and swirling patterns. She rides a Peacock is no exception, as Kalmakov sets the silhouette of a female figure in Egyptian costume kneeling on a stylized peacock against rhythmic, mesmerising patterns of colour.