Rostislav Nikolaevich Galitsky

Galerie Basmadjian, Paris

Original canvas. The top stretcher bar is tilted at an angle which is distorting the canvas very slighly. There are abrasions along the edges with some associated paint loss. There are other small areas of paint loss: to the black tunic of the girl on the far right, to the shirt and to the left of the head of the boy on the far left; to the birch trunk on the far left; as well as in other places. A few pin holes are visible along the edges, mostly along the bottom. There are a few scattered areas of craquelure, in particular to the light green pigment to the right of the two figures on the far left. Some of the cracks in this area are lifting slightly but appear stable at present. Inspection under UV light reveals minor scattered retouching. Held in a stained wooden tray 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."

Painted in the 1950s, To the Finish Line depicts a group of Young Pioneers in their distinctive red kerchiefs at a summer camp. The first camp, Artek, was established on the Black Sea in 1925 but they soon mushroomed all over the Soviet Union and by the 1950s millions of Soviet children attended them. Closely modelled on the scout movement, the emphasis of the state-run Young Pioneers Camps was often on sports and outdoor activities that would build happy, healthy, obedient Soviet citizens.