Lot 143
  • 143

Sergei Vasilievich Chekhonin

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Sergei Vasilievich Chekhonin
  • Portrait of an Artist said to be Léon Bakst
  • signed in Latin and inscribed Paris l.m.
  • pastel and charcoal on paper laid down on board
  • 63 by 48cm, 24 3/4 by 19in.

Provenance

Sotheby's Olympia, Russian Pictures, Works of Art and Icons, 14 June 2007, lot 101

Condition

The board is sound. The sheet of paper is undulating and coming away from the board in places. There is evidence of water damage along all edges of the sheet. Several pin holes can be seen in each of the corners along with in other places along the edges, most notably in the top middle and lower left edges. The sheet is covered in a layer of surface dirt and there are spots on the sitters face and in the background to his left. Held in a carved gold wooden frame behind 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."

Catalogue Note

It has been suggested that the present sitter may be Léon Bakst on account of the similarity in facial features, notably the moustaches, rounded nose, hairline and large eyes, though it is acknowledged that in his mature portraits and photographs Bakst is more commonly depicted wearing spectacles. He and Chekhonin both contributed to journals such as Satirikon in the mid-1900s. In fear of reprisals for his political satire, Chekhonin left for Paris in 1906 where he spent almost a year and would have overlapped with Bakst who was based in France from 1907 onwards. Chekhonin eventually emigrated to Paris in 1928.