Nikolai Petrovich Bogdanov-Belsky

August Bauman, Yurmala, Latvia

Riga, Riga City Art Museum, Third Exhibition of Works by the Academician N.P.Bogdanov-Belsky, 29 March - 4 May 1925, no.19

Exhibition catalogue Third Exhibition of Works by the Academician N.P.Bogdanov-Belsky, Riga, 1925 , no.19
N.Lapidus, Bogdanov-Belsky, Moscow: Bely gorod, 2001, illustrated p.27

Original canvas. There is a layer of light surface dirt, some lines of craquelure to the impasto and two lines of minor paint shrinkage across the red shirt on the right hand side. There are some flecks of surface dirt and minor media staining in places. Pigments fluouresce under UV but there is no apparent sign of retouching. Held in a gold painted moulded 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. 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."

Latgalian Girls belongs to a series of paintings depicting the children of the territory of eastern Latvia which provided great inspiration for the artist following his permanent move to Riga in 1921. These sun-suffused canvases which captured the local peasant children in their native countryside were exhibited to great acclaim at the Riga Art museum in 1925. Here, the two young sitters are turned away from the viewer, as if listening intently to Bogdanov-Belsky, who would entertain his models as he worked with captivating tales of the artists whom he admired.

The offered lot was formerly in the collection of August Bauman, owner of a luxury yacht club in Yurmala and a wealthy art patron. Bogdanov-Belsky and Bauman were good friends, and the artist often stayed at the Bauman residence on the Lielupe shore.