Sergei Soudeikine

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

Sergei Soudeikine
Pamina from The Magic Flute, A man in a red robe, Man with a wolf's cloak from Sadko and Dancing woman: Four Designs for Costumes
(i) Signed Soudeikine (lower center); inscribed 5 and indistinctly in pencil (upper left); inscribed in Cyrillic (upper right); (ii) Signed Soudeikine (lower center); (iii) Signed Soudeikine (lower left) and indistinctly inscribed Bout*** (upper right); (iv) Signed Soudeikine (lower center); bearing owner's embossed symbol (upper left)
(i) India ink, gouache and metallic paint on board; (ii) India ink and gouache over pencil on heavy paper; (iii) India ink and gouache on heavy paper; (iv) India ink and gouache over pencil on heavy paper
(i) 14 1/8 by 7 7/8 in. 35.9 by 20 cm.; (ii) 12 by 9 1/8 in. 30.5 by 23.2 cm.
(iii) 14 1/8 by 8 2/3 in. 36 by 22 cm.; (iv) 12 by 9 1/8 in. 30.5 by 23.2 cm.

Provenance

the second and fourth: Sale: Sotheby's, New York, November 21, 1984, lot 206
the third: Sale: Sotheby's, New York, December 10, 1982, lot 205

Condition

The first: There is light and mat staining, darkest at the edges. There are a few small losses and abrasions to the background, namely in the lower left quadrant and upper right corner, which are barely visible. There is a small loss in the center of the figure's costume. Recto there is tape residue along all 4 edges as well as two vertical areas of staining from previous tape. Overall discoloring and a small area of staining at the top right. The second: Hinged to the mount in two places along the top edge. There is light staining and dirt from handling across the work and some abrasion and light flaking in the far left of the red cloak. Recto there is a pencil drawing. There is heavy staining across the back, and there appears to be mat staining from a previous framing. The third: The work is hinged in two places along the top edge. There is dirt from handling across the work, especially at the edges. There appears to be a fingerprint to the left of the figure's hat and some very light cracking to the white gouache of the figure's beard. Recto there are remnants of black paper from what appears to be a previous mounting. There is also a shadow from the figure on the front bleeding through. The fourth: Hinged at two places along the top edge. Acid mat and overall light stain. Pinholes upper edge at center, upper left corner and lower left edge. There are small losses and abrasions throughout the orange scarf and a few very small scattered pinpoint stains scattered throughout.
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.

Catalogue Note

Soudeikine designed the decor and costumes for the Metropolitan Opera's production of Rimsky-Korsakov's Sadko which opened in New York on January 25, 1930. This highly proclaimed production was given 16 times in 3 seasons and Soudeikine's decor was considered "brilliant" (see: Irving Kolodine, The Metropolitan Opera, 1883 - 1966, 1966, p. 352).