USA: Russian art auction at Sotheby's in New York will feature newly discovered works and is expected make 40 million U.S. dollars

A wide range of Russian art -- from 19th century masterpieces to avant-garde theater designs, will be the focus of an upcoming auction at Sotheby's - New York. This is the third annual sale of Russian art at Sotheby's and includes fine as well as applied works of Russian art. The sale of more than 500 lots, many of which are fresh to the auction market, is estimated to bring in a total of 40 million U.S dollars.. Fine art highlights include Boris Dmitrievich Grigoriev's 1935 painting "The Inspector General", estimated at 1.2 million. It was painted more than a decade after the artist had established himself internationally, and Russian art experts see it as a rare example of his return to Russian and theatrical themes later in his career. The painting tries capturing the conclusion of Nikolai Gogol's famous play, "The Inspector General." Another fine art highlight is Mikhail Nesterov's "Vision of St. Sergius When a Child", estimated at 2-3 million (USD). It is considered the inaugural work of the Russian Symbolist movement. The painting depicts a scene from the life of the 14th -century saint, Sergius of Radonezh, who served as the subject of an entire cycle of Nesterov's paintings. From artist Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, there is a breathtaking dawn seascape, "Constantinople at dawn", a large scale canvas that expresses Aivazovsky's fascination with Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) which the artist visited in 1845. Sonya Bekkerman, Head of Russian Paintings at Sotheby's in New York explained that the upcoming sale is highly curated and offers a range of newly discovered works across all collecting categories. Most works have been gathered from important private American collections and are fresh to the auction market. "For this particular auction, I have to say, there is an incredible amount of property that comes from private American collections, a lot of works that come to the market for the first time, newly discovered, and haven't been seen by the public for over fifty years, and that excites me greatly," said Bekkerman. Bekkerman added that the renewed interest in Russian politics and culture, had also led to a surge in demand for Russian art and that she expects this demand to continue growing. She also feels that in the near future, other interesting Russian works of art will be discovered in America, since many Russian artists lived and worked in America, and not all their property has as yet reached the auction market. The applied art section of the auction, includes 18th and 19th century silver, porcelain, enamels, bronzes and works by Faberge. Farberge highlights include a rare vari-colored gold and enamel column form timepiece, by workmaster Henrik Wigstrom, circa 1900. Measuring just over eight inches in height, the clock is estimated to sell for $1.5-2 million. Other rarities from the Faberge workshops include a gold and enamel Bonbonniere in the form of a miniature empire-style armchair, which fits in the palm of a hand. This is by workmaster Michael Perchin and estimated to sell for 1-1.5 million (USD). And drawing from the old Russian style is a Faberge Silver Kovsh, or drinking vessel. It shows a surging group of helmeted and chain-mailed Russian medieval heroic warriors, and is estimated to sell at 500-800,000 (USD). Also part of the sale are twelve bronze and ivory sculptures like "Les Girls" and "Semiramis" by Demeter Chiparus, who lived between 1886-1947. They are inspired by the designs of Leon Bakst, the Russian artist who dressed the star dancers of Serge Diaghilev's "Ballets Russes" and the great Parisian music halls of the 1920s. The Russian art auction will be held on April 16th and 17th in New York.

ITN Source | April 13, 2007

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