Alexander Alexandrovich Deineka

Acquired directly from the artist in 1969

The sheet has discoloured. There is a pin hole to the upper edge and two pin holes to the lower edge. The edges of the sheet are unevenly cut. There is a layer of surface dirt and some light handling marks throughout. Held in a simple black wooden frame. 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."

The 6th World Festival of Youth and Students opened on 28 July 1957 and was a landmark event made possible by the reforms introduced by Nikita Khrushchev. Welcomed to Moscow by the festival’s symbol of Picasso's 'Dove of Peace' and the slogan ‘Peace and Friendship’, representatives from over 130 countries celebrated a fortnight of international unity. The atmosphere was of unaccustomed transparency, where the jazz musician Alexei Kozlov recalled having played for the first time with foreign musicians:  

'Tourists and businessmen just didn’t come to the country at that time; nor did diplomats, military attachés or the occasional journalist appear in the open in the same way. So when we suddenly saw thousands of foreigners on the streets of Moscow, plus we were allowed to talk to them, we were overcome with a kind of euphoria…

I remember how clutches of people would stand around all night on Gorky Street with a couple of people arguing heatedly about something or other, the rest of them standing round in a tight circle listening, learning, and getting used to the whole process involved in the free exchange of ideas.'

The Ukraina and Turist hotels were launched in preparation for the festival, and the Moscow Kremlin and Gorky Park were opened up to the public. Over 800 events were scheduled, including a popular music contest won by Edita Piekha and her Leningrad ensemble Druzhba.

The bold combination of red, white and black is characteristic of Deineka’s illustrations, and the present work is a remarkable momento of the sense of unity and freedom that briefly swept the country during the summer of 1957.