Ilya Abramovich Grinman

Original canvas. There is a small tear in the lower right. There is a layer of light surface dirt. UV light reveals some minor retouching to the shawl on the left, a few spots of retouching to the background in places and an uneven layer of varnish. 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."

Ilya Grinman began his studies in Odessa, before graduating to The Imperial Academy of Arts where he was taught by Petr Kovalevsky and Ilya Repin. He was a key member of the Jewish Society for the Promotion of the Arts in Petrograd (1916-1918) and his work was reproduced in numerous journals such as Solntse Rossii (1912-1916), Petrograd (1923) and Krasnaya panorama (1927-1929). He is known primarily for his portraits, executed in a style close to that of Maliavin; his sitters included Lev Tolstoy, Maxim Gorky, Ilya Repin and Lenin.

In 1927, Grinman emigrated to Paris. On the 12 April 1944, he was arrested by the occupying forces and deported to the Drancy camp, where he perished. The Musée d'art et d'histoire de Judaisme in Paris organised an exhibition of his work in 1955. His works also hang in The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.