Alexander Evgenievich Yakovlev

Acquired by Marquis François de Chasseloup-Laubat (1904-1968) in France
Thence by descent

Paris, Galerie Jean Charpentier, Alexandre Iacovleff Peintre attaché à l'Expédition Citroën Centre-Afrique, 1933, no.87

Exhibition catalogue, Alexandre Iacovleff Peintre attaché à l'Expédition Citroën Centre-Afrique, 1933, no.87 listed

The canvas has been laid on board. The edges are uneven. A pinhole is still visible in the centre of the upper edge. There is a layer of surface dirt and flecks of dirt throughout. Examination under UV light reveals retouching to each of the corners and to the centre of the left and upper edges. Held in a painted 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."

While travelling along the northern trail of the Silk Road in September 1931 the Croisière Jaune explorers took the road towards Kashgar along the frozen lakes of the Pamir Mountains. In his notes from the trip, Yakovlev writes of 'the feeling of endless space whose limits would appear only to vanish again'. Impressed by the beauty of the 'roof of the world' he paints several magnificent mountain landscapes. The expedition's historiographer, Georges Lefevre, describes the region thus: 'The perspectives divided and one felt as though one was living between two skies...Further on close to Basi-koul, other lakes were shimmering, other mountains floating, as if suspended in mid-air or placed on their own reflections' (La Croisière Jaune, Editions Plon, 1933).

We are grateful to Caroline Haardt de La Baume for providing this catalogue note. The work will be included in the forthcoming Alexander Yakovlev catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Caroline Haardt de La Baume.