ÉCOLE DE PARIS AND OTHER MASTERS

12:00 GMT 4 December 2024

Artist Index / Full Catalogue / Bidding

* 12. VERESCHAGIN, VASILY (1842-1904)

Portrait of a Hermit, bears American Art Association stamp on the reverse.

Oil on canvas, 35.5 by 19 cm.
60,000-90,000 GBP

Provenance: Collection of the artist.
American Art Galleries, New York, Vassili Verestchagin Collection, 17 November 1891 (stamp A.A.A. Vereschagin Collection on the verso), No 81.
Acquired at the above sale by J. M. Bonham for $191.
The Reading Public Museum, Reading, Pennsylvania (purchased in 1925).
Americana & International Auction, Pook & Pook Inc. 13-14 January 2022, lot 325.
Acquired at the above auction by the present owner.

Exhibited: Geïllustreerde Catalogus der Tentoonstelling van Schilderijen van Wasily Wereschagin, Amsterdam,1887, No. 55.
Exhibition of the Works of Vassili Verestchagin, American Art Galleries, New York, November-December 1888, No. 35 (travelling exhibition, visiting Chicago, St Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston et al.).

Literature: Exhibition catalogue, Geïllustreerde Catalogus der Tentoonstelling van Schilderijen van Wasily Wereschagin, Amsterdam, 1887, p. 27, No. 55, listed.
Exhibition of the Works of Vassili Verestchagin. Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue, New York, American Art Galleries, 1888, p. 32, No. 35.
Exhibition catalogue, Exhibition of the Works of Vassili Verestchagin. Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue, Philadelphia, American Art Galleries, 1889, p. 32, No. 35.
Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue of the Vassili Verestchagin Collections, New York, American Art Galleries, 1891, p. 48, No. 81.


Portrait of a Hermit belongs to a series of ethnographic studies of Palestine which were inspired by Vasily Vereschagin’s extensive travels in the Holy Land in 1883–1884. So far-reaching was his trip that he wrote of covering it “with the Gospel in his hand” (quoted from V.V. Vereschagin. Tales. Sketches. Memoirs, Moscow, 1990. p. 198).

In Palestine and Syria Vereschagin was able not only to collect material for compositions of biblical scenes, but also created a number of detailed and vivid portraits of local residents: Jews, Arabs, Orthodox hermits and monks. The artist always paid particular attention to the depiction of people he encountered, with keen interest in diverse human types and scenes from everyday life.

The portrait was completed in Paris between 1884-1885, together with the rest of the works in the Palestine series. While preparing for the exhibitions a few years later, Vereschagin described this painting in the catalogue: “Still a young man, of steady appearance. He has served in the Church of Golgotha, but was obliged to abandon it in order to avoid the example of the monks <...> .” (Exhibition of the Works of Vassili Verestchagin. Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue, New York, American Art Galleries, 1888, p. 32, No. 35) This young man was likely encountered by Vereschagin during a visit to the Orthodox monastery of St. John the Baptist, founded near the site of the Baptism Site in the Jordan Valley. He further wrote of his encounter: “These hermits, who are not numerous, live partly on the shore itself, partly on the sandstone hills some distance near the monastery of St. John. They excavate with two or three rooms in each, so small that it is difficult to turn round in them” (Exhibition of the Works of Vassili Verestchagin. Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue, New York, American Art Galleries, 1888, p. 32).

Portrait of a Hermit was part of the large Vereshchagin touring exhibition organized by the American Art Association. The organisers also published a detailed catalogue with artist’s descriptions. The present lot was also listed in the New York and Philadelphia exhibition catalogues under number 35. It was originally thought that the paintings, which arrived in New York on 9 November 1888, would stay in the United States for no more than six months. However, the exhibition was such a success that it went on a triumphant three-year tour of American cities, including Chicago, Boston, St. Louis, and Philadelphia amongst others.

After the opening in New York, the artist left for Paris and returned to the United States only in time for the sale of his works which was organised by the A.A.A on 17-21 November 1891. Portrait of a Hermit sold for $191 to Mr J. M. Bonham. In 1925 the painting was acquired by the Reading Public Museum, Pennsylvania, where it remained until it was deaccessioned from the Museum’s collection in 2022.






Verso of the present lot.
Listing in the 1887 catalogue.
Listing in the 1888 catalogue.

Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
◎ Indicates the lot is located outside the UK. Successful bidders would collect their lots outside the UK after payment.
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.