S/O Benois Collection

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Lot 806
  • 806

Alexander Nikolaevich Benois

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Alexander Nikolaevich Benois
  • Three Views of St Petersburg: Bolshoi Prospekt; the Bobrinsky Mansion and the Church in Bobylsk

  • variously inscribed and dated 1959, 1908-09? and 6 V 1921

  • watercolour, ink and pencil on paper; watercolour over pencil on paper, one with gouache

  • 21.4 by 46.1cm, 8 1/4 by 18in.; 24 by 31cm, 9 1/4 by 11 1/4 in.; 24.6 by 31.5cm, 9 3/4 by 12 1/2 in.;

Condition

The sheets are discoloured. There is a layer of surface dirt and a few spots of media staining in places. There are some nicks to the edges. Bolshoi Prospekt: coming loose from the mount. Unframed. Bobylsk view: there is some loss to the top left and lower right corners. Unframed. View of Bobrinsky Mansion: There are pinholes to the corners, the edges are worn and there are some minor losses to all four corners and a tear to the lower portion of the left hand exge. There is a layer of light surface dirt. Attached to a mount with sellotape from the reverse. There are slight stains from the adhesive. Unframed.
"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."

Catalogue Note

The view of Bolshoi Prospekt on Vasilievsky Island depicts "a charming private residence thought to have been built by Vallin de Lamothe... situated on the corner of Tretyaya liniya. It is believed that the famous artist Alexander Andreevich Ivanov died there. The building was demolished around 1926".

Benois lived next door to count Bobrinsky in St Petersburg, with his studio directly above his coachmen's quarters. 'Unceasing revels and dancing went on there all day', recalled Benois of the time when he designed Petrushka. 'At any other time this would have greatly disturbed me, but in the present case all the noise... only helped to inspire me.' (Reminiscences of the Russian Ballet, Wyman & Sons, 1945, p. 328).

Benois' uncle Louis lived on the coast at Bobylsk in Finland. His two cottages were destroyed during the Revolution.