5 June 2013 Russian Art Auctions
5 June 2013
* 445. LEBEDEV, VLADIMIR (1891-1967)
Nude, signed with initials.
Watercolour on paper, 47 by 32 cm.
15,000–20,000 GBP
Provenance: Private collection, Europe.
Vladimir Lebedev is one of the finest and most soulful artists of the Soviet era who determined the character of the Leningrad school of drawing and painting in the 1920s and 1930s. Like his famous colleagues Nikolai Lapshin and Nikolai Tyrsa, Lebedev was a successor to the traditions of Post-Impressionism. The portrait impressions, still lifes and nudes that he created have won their place in the history of Russian art primarily as benchmark examples of compositional precision, colouring and technical perfection. At the same time, no matter what they represent graphically, they are always literally infused with highly sensual poetic feeling. In that bleak time of contradictions and harsh, uncompromising slogans, Lebedev remained a true lyricist who found his sense of peace in a modest bunch of wild flowers or the beauty of a woman’s body. His Nude in this catalogue is a magnificent watercolour that ranks among the best graphic works of this remarkable artist.
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.