- 43
Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova
Estimate
120,000 - 180,000 GBP
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Description
- Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova
- Rhododendrons
- signed in Latin t.l. and with the artist's initials in Latin l.r.; further signed and inscribed in Latin 16 rue Jacques Callot / Paris on the reverse
- oil on canvas
- 61 by 46cm, 24 by 18in.
Provenance
A gift from the artist to Nikolai Okunev, circa 1935
Thence by descent to the present owner
Thence by descent to the present owner
Condition
Original canvas. There are frame abrasions along all edges with some minor associated paint loss. There is a layer of surface dirt. Inspection under UV light does not reveal any obvious signs of restoration. Held in the original 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."
"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 still life was given by Natalia Goncharova to the art historian Nikolai Lvovitch Okunev (1885-1949) in the mid-1930s and has remained in his family ever since. Okunev, an authority in Byzantine art, also had a keen interest in contemporary art and frequented artistic circles in Russia before his emigration in 1920. He first settled in Yugoslavia, before relocating to Prague in 1925 to become a professor of Russian, Byzantine and Islamic art at Charles University.
Okunev supported a number of Russian artists and is best-known for organising an important exhibition of Russian art in Prague in 1935. He corresponded frequently with Goncharova, whom he had known in Russia, and visited her often in Paris where he took photographs of her works in her studio and arranged sales of her pictures.
Rhododendrons was given to Okunev during one of his visits to Paris, most likely in 1935 or 1936. According to family tradition it was a painting of which Goncharova thought highly, presented to Okunev as evidence of her artistic parity with Van Gogh whose ever-rising market they had been discussing. It is offered in the original frame made by the artist.
Okunev supported a number of Russian artists and is best-known for organising an important exhibition of Russian art in Prague in 1935. He corresponded frequently with Goncharova, whom he had known in Russia, and visited her often in Paris where he took photographs of her works in her studio and arranged sales of her pictures.
Rhododendrons was given to Okunev during one of his visits to Paris, most likely in 1935 or 1936. According to family tradition it was a painting of which Goncharova thought highly, presented to Okunev as evidence of her artistic parity with Van Gogh whose ever-rising market they had been discussing. It is offered in the original frame made by the artist.