- 811
Alexander Nikolaevich Benois
Description
- Alexander Nikolaevich Benois
- Three views of Peterhof: the Golden Cascade; the Royal Stables and a Triton Cloche Fountain
signed and inscribed in Cyrillic l.l. and dated 1901 l.r.; inscribed in Cyrillic and dated 7/V/1958 l.l.; signed in Latin l.r. and further signed and titled in Latin on the reverse; two stamped with inventory stamp on reverse
watercolour over pencil on paper, one with pen and ink
- 22.5 by 25cm, 8 ¾ by 9 3/4 in.; 17.8 by 22.6cm, 7 by 8 3/4 in.; 16.5 by 24cm, 6 1/2 by 9 3/4 in.
Condition
"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
'It seemed to me that in Peterhof, and only there, one could feel Peter I's actual presence... Standing before the steps of the cascades which form the foundation of the great Palace we saw the things he had called into being'.
For Benois, the poetry of Peterhof proved that Peter was not the crass barbarian he was so often described to be, but 'an artist, a man of original taste who possessed a real understanding of beauty'. The cascades filled Benois with awe as a small boy: 'holding my father's hand, I walked along the paths in Peterhof and stood spellbound at the sight of the waterfall rushing down the golden steps at Marly'.
Nicholas I commissioned Benois' father, Nikolai, to build the Imperial stables at Peterhof. The red brick design was inspired by Cardinal Wolsey's palace at Hampton Court, which he had visited in the 1840s, and they are among the most remarkable buildings at Peterhof, 'superior, I believe, in splendour', wrote Alexander, 'even to the famous Condé stables at Chantilly'.