Adolf Ignatevich Ladurner

Sotheby's London, The Russian Sale, 14 December 1995, lot 135

 

Structural Condition The canvas has been lined and is securely attached to a wooden keyed stretcher. This is providing a stable structural support. The canvas is inscribed on the reverse and there is some staining on the reverse of the canvas. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. There is a pattern of craquelure visible throughout the composition, most notably within the sky, due to the painting possibly having been rolled in the past. This appears entirely stable and is not particularly visually distracting. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows scattered retouchings throughout the composition, the most significant of which are: 1) several areas of retouching within the sky, some of which are corresponding to vertical lines of craquelure, 2) within the trees and above the figures on the left of the composition, 3) within the right side of the roof of the building in the centre of the composition and above the two officers standing below this, and 4) two vertical lines running through the officer second from right and a horizontal line running from the waist of the figure on the far right to the breast of the horse on the right of the composition. There are other scattered retouchings. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in good and stable condition and no further work is required.
"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."

A student of Horace Vernet, Ladurner became a court painter soon after his arrival in St Petersburg in 1830. His eye for the details of military life appealed strongly to Nicholas I who was a great enthusiast of Ladurner's minutely observed paintings of parades and manoeuvres. He opened a studio in the Winter Palace and the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1837 and is widely considered the most accomplished military artist of Nicholas' reign. His fascination with the minutae of military life extended to designing Russian uniforms for which he was awarded the Order of St Stanislaus.

The present work depicts officers of the St Petersburg Uhlan regiment in their distinctive gold and blue uniform. The quality of observation is exceptional, from the medals, epaulettes and weaponry to the beautiful gold seal on the box of the central figure. The soldiers' range of poses is typical and allows the artist to document every aspect of their uniforms, front, back and side-on. His use of light and shade is strong; without over-dramatising this peaceful scene with sharp chiaroscuro, a nuanced use of shadow and highlights brings the composition to life. The plain-clothed villagers in the left of the composition provide a wonderful contrast to the bivouacking soldiers, particularly the golden-haired boy in a simple white tunic who recalls the Romanticised peasants of his contemporary Grigory Soroka (1823-1864) and the Venetsianov school (fig.1).