- 30
Isaak Ilich Levitan
Description
- Isaak Ilich Levitan
- Overgrown Pond
- signed in Cyrillic l.l.
- pastel on paper laid on board
- 40.5 by 51cm, 16 by 20in.
Condition
"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
The present lot is a reworking of his 1887 painting of the same title in the State Russian Museum collection (fig.1). The earlier work is executed in oil on paper and significantly smaller (31.8 by 40.6cm); the composition is largely unchanged in this instance but on comparison it is apparent the degree to which the new medium allowed Levitan to experiment with atmospheric effects. Indeed, in the view of Fedorov-Davydov, Levitan’s pastels reveal his subtle perception of colour and emotional expression more clearly than his oils (Fedorov-Davydov, Levitan, 1976, p.224). In terms of technique, close comparisons to the present lot can be found in other mature pastels by Levitan such as Meadow on the Edge of a Forest (1898, The State Russian Museum) and Road on an Overcast Day (1898, Private Collection).
The offered lot is one of at least six other works by Levitan carrying this title, a series which may have originally been inspired by Vasily Polenov’s famous oil painting, Overgrown Pond (1879).
We are grateful to Olga Glebova for providing additional cataloguing information.