MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 8-9 June 2011
8 June 2011
455. SUDEIKIN, SERGEI (1882-1946)
The Shepherd's Dream, c. 1910s.
Tempera on cardboard, 40 by 51.5 cm.
50,000-70,000 GBP
Authenticity certificate from the expert O. Glebova.
Authenticity has also been confirmed by the expert D. Volyak.
"In front of me are paintings by Sudeikin: a marvellous world filled with poetry, joy and humour; a world of old-fashioned landscapes, noble estates, folk dances under the green canopy of a grove and mincing young men in love with village beauties: a revived world of careless charm and love above which lies Cupid, who's grown up cossetted in granny's featherbed, drawing his bow… You stand charmed before this unrivalled poet, scoffer, mystic, powerful and frenzied colourist, and you ask: "what depths did this art burst out from?"
This is how Alexei Tolstoy described Sudeikin's oeuvre in an article published in the first issue of Jar-Ptitsa in 1921. Contemplating the past and future of Russian art in the context
of the Russian revolution, Tolstoy concluded that although Sudeikin's works reference the past, they are alive, joyful and tangible. There is nothing melancholic about them.
The Shepherd's Dream dates from the 1910s, the most fruitful period in the artist's career. He frequently painted pastoral scenes and scènes galantes. These works are characterised by the pronounced theatricality of the composition, rich colours and the combination of the grotesque and lyrical.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.