David Davidovich Burliuk

The artist
Thence by descent

Ogasawara, Japan, Nature and Humans of Ogasawara, January 1921, no.55
Osaka, Japan, Osaka Shirokiya, May 1922, no.75
New York, Art Center, Benefit Exhibition and Sale of Paintings by David Burliuk for the Earthquake Sufferers of Japan, September 1923, no.11, possibly
Southampton, New York, Parrish Art Museum, David Burliuk: Years of Transition 1910-1931, June-July 1978

Nature and Humans of Ogasaware exhibition catalogue, Ogasawara, Japan, 1921, no.55, titled Pandanus boninensis
Exhibition catalogue for Osaka Shirokiya show, Osaka, 1922, no.75,  titled Pandanus boninensis
Benefit Exhibition and Sale of Paintings by David Burliuk for the Earthquake Sufferers of Japan, New York, 1923, no.11, possibly
Parrish Art Museum exhibition catalogue, David Burliuk: Years of Transition 1910-1931, Southampton, 1978, no.17

Structural condition The artist's characteristically thick weave canvas is unlined on what would certainly appear to be the original fixed wooden stretcher. The canvas is rather uneven, which is again characteristic of the artist, but secure and stable. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows no evidence of any retouching. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in very good and stable condition and no further work is required.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Still Life, 1921 reflects Burliuk's unique Cubo-Futurist style, utilizing fractured planes, juxtaposing lines, and a strong colour palette to create the feeling of dynamic motion and energy. In addition, we see wavy strands of colour colliding in the background, perhaps hinting at the beginnings of Radio Style, Burliuk’s next avant-garde phase which he began developing in 1925 and wrote about for the first time in 1926.  

While in Japan, Burliuk organized several exhibitions featuring his Cubo-Futurist works, and the present lot was exhibited in Ogasawara in January 1921, soon after its completion and in May 1922, at the department store Shirokiya in Osaka. It was titled Pandanus boninensis, referring to its main subject, an Asian species of plant that is commonly found in the forests of Ogasawara.