Philip Andreevich Maliavin

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting on canvas is in good condition and still stretched on its original stretcher. The paint layer is stable, unlined and very slightly wavy, particularly on the edges. The paint layer is most likely quite dirty yet it is thinly painted and caution must be exercised in cleaning this picture. . There may be a small scratch in the background on the right side and a couple of small chips of paint loss in the lower center. Overall however, the condition is excellent and will improve with careful cleaning.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Maliavin...is a 'singer for the Russian baba'. He paints them in all their ugly majesty with the richness of their dazzling beauty. He is in love with the 'Russian baba' as a pagan loves his idol; he worships her, with her red fustian cloth, her crass coquetry, her haughty grim and her clumsy look, which...has a peculiar beauty. (Alexander Benois, Russkaia Shkola Zhivopisi, Golike & Vilborg, 1904, p. 105)