- 184
Robert Rafaelovich Falk 1886-1958
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description
- Robert Rafaelovich Falk
- Portrait of the Artist's Mother
- signed Falk (lower right); also signed with initial in Cyrillic (lower left)
- oil on canvas
- 30 by 25 in.
- 76.2 by 63.5 cm
Provenance
Nathan P. Cohen, uncle of the artist (acquired directly from the artist, Paris, 1929)
Thence by descent
Condition
canvas unlined, somewhat slack, scattered areas of craquelure, some minor flacking above lower edge and to lower right, under UV light no apparent inpainting
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Nathan P. Cohen visited his nephew Falk in his Paris studio on Rue de la Pompé in 1929, at which time he acquired the present work. It has descended in the Cohen family and has not been seen by the public for over seventy-five years.
Falk painted his mother several times in his career, most notably in Double-Portrait of his Parents (1911). The present work was most likely executed in Paris in the late 1920s, after his arrival there. Falk corresponded frequently with his mother Maria Borisovna, describing his love for the city and recounting the trials and tribulations of his daily existence. ``Life here is highly involved,'' he wrote Falk at the beginning of his Parisian sojourn, ``we are meeting people, not your average people, but those who are relevant to my future exhibitions. Critics, friends of critics, dealers. In the mornings I am obligated to show my work and endure the litany of compliments...and of course as always, my irritation flares against this way of life. I want to paint, paint and paint some more.''
Falk painted his mother several times in his career, most notably in Double-Portrait of his Parents (1911). The present work was most likely executed in Paris in the late 1920s, after his arrival there. Falk corresponded frequently with his mother Maria Borisovna, describing his love for the city and recounting the trials and tribulations of his daily existence. ``Life here is highly involved,'' he wrote Falk at the beginning of his Parisian sojourn, ``we are meeting people, not your average people, but those who are relevant to my future exhibitions. Critics, friends of critics, dealers. In the mornings I am obligated to show my work and endure the litany of compliments...and of course as always, my irritation flares against this way of life. I want to paint, paint and paint some more.''