Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky

The original canvas has been strip lined. The paint surface is fairly clear. There are fine lines of paint shrinkage in places. UV light reveals some infilling to the aforementioned paint shrinkage. Held in a gold painted plaster frame and 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."

The offered lot is a preparatory sketch for Pilgrims' Refectory at the Sergeev Trinity Monastery , one of the last significant genre paintings by Konstantin Makovsky. Exhibited at the 23^rd exhibition of the Petrograd Society of Artists in 1914-15 (catalogue no.106), the painting was a huge success and was reproduced on numerous occasions in 1915 in newspapers and journals: Niva (p.772), Iskri (No.9), Novaya vsemirnaya illustratsiya (No.40), Ves' mir (No.40), Petrogradskaya gazeta and Novoe vremya.

 

The artist returned to social subjects during the First World War, and this picture was widely acclaimed in official circles. Unfortunately the whereabouts of the final canvas is currently unknown. The offered sketch sets out the principle elements and figures, and is executed with the quick, confident, fluid brushwork typical of Makovsky's later work. Characterised by impressionistic lighting and an expressive palette, it is testament to Makovsky's skill that even in his sketch, he is able to convey so compellingly the atmosphere of a clamouring crowd.