Nikolai Konstantinovich Kalmakov

Galerie Motte, Paris
Vera Kliatchkine from March 1931, acquired from the above
Acquired from the above by the present owner in the 1990s

Tallin, Provincial Museum, Nicolas Kalmakoff, 1922
Paris, Galerie Jean Charpentier, Nicolas de Kalmakoff, 14 - 18 January 1928
Paris, Galerie Motte, Nicolas Kalmakoff, 7 February - 5 March 1964

Nicolas Kalmakoff exhibition catalogue, Tallin, 1922, listed no. 78-80
Nicolas de Kalmakoff exhibition catalogue, Paris Galerie Charpentier, 1928, listed no. 153
Nicolas Kalmakoff exhibition catalogue,  Paris: Galerie Motte, 1964, listed no. 31

The sheet is slightly discoloured with some minor surface staining in places. The colours are fairly fresh. Held in a period silver painted wooden frame and under glass. 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."

This exceptionally rare and unpublished design for a warrior angel bears all the hallmarks of Nikolai Kalmakov’s most accomplished work. Wearing a dazzling silver chain-mail and with polychrome wings unfurled to form a halo around its head, the figure engages the viewer in a hypnotic gaze.  Rich in symbolism and decorative elements, this hallucinatory and mysterious vision radiates a tense and celestial aura and through use of jewel-like colours, the artist succeeds in imbuing this figure with all the mysticism of the Russian soul.

 

The offered lot is believed to be the only surviving design for an unrealised production of the Arthurian play Gawan by Eduard Stucken (1865-1936). Translated from the German by Fedor Sologub and Anastasia Chebotarevskaya, the production was originally planned for the Reiken Theatre of Dramatic Arts in St. Petersburg. However, the outbreak of the First World War and subsequent ban of all German and Austrian material in Russian theatres prevented the production from ever being shown to the public.

Executed at a time when Kalmakov's popularity as a set designer was at its height, the project appealed to him immensely, since it combined his favourite themes: history, legend and fantasy. He produced a series of 26 designs for sets and costumes in total.

Angel of the Holy Grail is closely associated to the series of lithographs produced by Kalmakov in 1915 for the society of the Red Cross. The expressive quality of the drawing and vivid palette recall the compositions of Mikhail Vrubel, which he went on to develop the following year in Seraphim (Private Collection, St. Petersburg).

We are grateful to Yulia Balybina for providing this note