Nikolai Fechin

David Burliuk (acquired directly from the artist)
Thence by descent

Original canvas. The surface is slightly dirty and covered with a layer of varnish. There are very fine lines of craquelure in palces e.g to the right of the sitter's face. UV light reveals no apprent retouching, some pigments fluoresce. Held in a gold painted wood frame with cloth mat. 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."

David Burliuk and Nikolai Fechin had a long friendship, meeting for the first time at the Kazan School of Fine Arts in 1898, while both were students. They met again in 1901 at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg and sporadically throughout the following years. In 1923, when both artists were living in America, Fechin asked to paint Burliuk’s portrait. The resulting work was considered one of Fechin’s first profound successes in the United States, and the painting is now in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe. David Burliuk’s wife Mariussa, often featured in portraits by her husband, was the subject of several paintings by Nikolai Fechin as well, one of which is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Tajikistan.