Vladimir Archipovich Bondarenko

There is a layer of light surface dirt, Lines of raised craquelure can be seen throughout. A few spots of retouching can be seen under uv. Held in a modern gold painted frame. 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."

Vladimir Bondarenko is a Ukrainian-Russian painter who began his artistic education at the Odessa School of Painting and then studied at the Academy of Arts in St Petersburg under Ivan Shishkin and Arhip Kuindzhi. However it was really his work at Shishkin's studio that developed his skills as a landscape artist. Following in his professors' footsteps and their close links to Valaam, an archipelago on lake Ladoga, Bondarenko was also inspired by the beauty of northern nature. Like Shishkin, who became famous for his forest landscapes, Bondarenko's painting method was based on analytical studies of nature. In Forest scene the artist convincingly depicts the depths of the forest combining different spatial perspectives and contrasting the solidity of objects in the foreground with the ephemeral aspects of the distant woods.

Bondarenko's name is also connected with the foundation of the Valaam Art school, where many of the monastery's monks received professional artistic training, and which is reflected in the fine quality of wall paintings in many of Valaam's churches.