Sergei Soudeikine

Capehart Collection, United States (acquired directly from the artist)
Sale: Doyle New York, May 22, 2001, lot 121
Private Collection, New York
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

New York, American Federation of Arts, Art Directors Club, 22nd Annual Exhibition of Advertising Art, 1943, no. 81

Gouache on board. The surface is slightly dirty. There are about 10 pin holes and 5 nails visible along the upper edge and 5 nails visible along the lower edge. There are about 3 nails along the left edge and 3 nails along the right edge. There are various scratches to the surface, including in the center area, lower left corner, lower center, lower right corner, and in figure in red to the right. There are some minor stains to the composition, including in the upper left corner. Composition has some minor craquelure in certain areas, including in the small figures on carpet in center, in some of the blue background pigment, and in some areas of the larger figures at center. Minor paint loss in certain areas, including in hair of figure to left and beard of center figure. Despite these scratches and areas of paint loss and craquelure the composition is exquisite and in fine condition. Held under glass and in a gold painted wood 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.
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.

Eastern themes were common in Soudeikine's oeuvre beginning around 1910, when he executed designs for several performances with eastern subjects, specifically the operetta "Maids at Play" at the Malyi Drama Theater in 1911 and "The Tragedy of Salomé" for Diaghilev's "Russian Seasons" in Paris in 1913. These sketches demonstrate Soudeikine's gift for sophisticated decoration, flawless coloration and creating a festive spectacle on stage. In particular, his mounted works with Eastern subjects typify a sense of fantasy and playfulness that would become recurring themes throughout the artist's career.