MacDougall Auctions 28 November 2008
28 November 2008
* 1. LAPCHINE, GEORGE (1885-1950)
Easter Feast signed and dated 1926
Oil on canvas, 80 by 100 cm.
50,000-70,000
Provenance: Private collection, Europe.
The mid 1920s represented an extremely fruitful period for the
creative oeuvre of George Lapchine. Having finally returned to
Paris in the early 1920s, he rapidly achieved fame, travelling
around the whole of Europe creating an enormous number of
impressionist paintings and bright, cheerful still lifes. One such
example was Easter Feast. It was executed on the most important
holiday of the Russian Orthodox church, and is devoid of any
burden of nostalgia for his homeland. With his characteristic
zest for life he produces a cosy image of an artist’s milieu. The
festively laid table is adorned with a splendid bouquet of bright
peonies, and the traditional Easter cake is juxtaposed with a
golden lemon and slices of pineapple.
In his free impressionistic style we can perceive the potent influence
of French masters of the early 20th century. Lapchine encountered
their work back in 1906, when Cormond and Lermitte
came to Paris to train after their graduation from the Stroganov
College. Three years later, already a master, Lapchine returned
to Moscow and took part in the exhibition of the Independents
Group (1910), and also became a founder and habitué of the
exhibitions of the “Free Creation” society (1911 to 1917).
Working a great deal and very successfully, Lapchine took part in
the shows of the “Union of Artists and Painters of Moscow”
(1918), those of the “Peredvizhniki” (1922), and also the “Russian
Art Exhibition” in Berlin (1922). From 1925, already living permanently
in France, Lapchine became an exhibitor of the
“French Society of Arts” and of the “Salon des Independents”.
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.