Alexander Evgenievich Yakovlev

Sandra Yakovlev, the artist's sister, Paris
Acquired from the above by the parents of the present owner

Paris, Galerie Renaissance, Catalogue des Peintures et Dessins d'Alexandre Iacovleff, 18 November - 2 December 1930

Exhibition catalogue Catalogue des Peintures et Dessins d'Alexandre Iacovleff, Paris, Galerie Renaissance, 18 November - 2 December 1930, no.73 or no.80

The canvas has been laid down on board. The work is slightly dirty and there is very minor paint loss along the edges. There are pinholes in the upper left and upper right corners. The canvas in the lower right corner is very slightly peeling off the board. Under UV some pigments flouresce in the sky and boat, though they appear to be original. Held in a black and gold painted wood frame. Unexamined out of frame.
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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."

Alexander Yakovlev often travelled to the Mediterranean coast, and regularly stayed in Calvi, on the island of Corsica, which he found especially beautiful. It was here that he painted brightly-hued and luminous compositions such as this view of the port, which brilliantly captures the summer heat, the shimmering surface of the water and the dazzling rays of the sun. From the vertiginous heights of the fortress, the viewer's gaze is directed down towards the elegant three masted ship below.

Yakovlev painted over thirty views of Calvi, depicting its port, the fortress, the fountains and the Bar des amis at different hours of the day.

 

In November 1930, the Renaissance gallery in Paris organised an exhibition entitled Three Countries Seen Through the Eyes of Alexander Yakovlev and exhibited views of Capri, Tunis and Calvi - the artist's favourite Mediterranean cities. Later, a long article by Henri Omessa, 'Corsica: Island of Beauty' appeared in the 18 February 1933 edition of L'Illustration which paid homage to Yakovlev's Corsican views.  

 

 

We are grateful to Caroline Haardt de la Baume for providing this note.

 

To be included in the forthcoming Alexander Yakovlev Catalogue raisonne being prepared by Caroline Haardt de la Baume.