MacDougall Auctions 28 November 2008
28 November 2008
34. KOTARBINSKY, VASILY 1849-1921
Morning Silence
Oil on canvas, 65.5 by 135 cm.
150,000-200,000
Authenticity has been confirmed by Vladimir Petrov.
Related literature: G. Romanov and A. Muratov, Artists of the Russian Salon (1850-1917), Zolotoi Vek, St Petersburg, 2004, p. 314.
Although born in Poland, Kotarbinsky spent most of his creative
life in Kiev. It was whilst Kotarbinsky was a student at the
Warsaw Gymnasium (1867–71) that he developed the foundations
of his artistic skill in the drawing classes of the Warsaw
Institute for Fine Arts. He left for Rome in 1868, where he himself
paid to attend the Accademia di San Luca, where he further
developed his abilities under the guidance of Podesti (1872–75).
Kotarbinsky then attended the Imperial Academy of Arts, and
in 1881 he was awarded a second gold medal for his work
Vulcan Chaining Prometheus to a Rock in the Caucasus. A year later he
received the title of Class Artist, First Category for his picture
The Sick Prince Pozharsky Receiving the Emissaries from Moscow. From
then on the artist’s creative output would always exemplify the
salon interpretation of historical, mythological and biblical subjects.
After graduating from the Academy, Kotarbinsky returned
to the Eternal City which provided him with a fertile soil for the
creation of mythological compositions in a “classical environment”.
In 1887 Kotarbinsky travelled to Kiev at the invitation of a friend
from Rome, Pavel Svedomsky, to participate in the mural painting
for the Cathedral of St Vladimir (1887–95); he was to remain
there for the rest of his life and produce numerous large-scale
murals and paintings to decorate the private houses of the rich
and famous Kiev society, including commissions from Ivan
Tereshchenko and Bogdan Khanenko.
The two works, offered here for auction serve as a fine example
of such work. Due to the delicate nuancing between details and
artistic execution, the two canvases, which are mirror images of
one and the same composition, complement each other and embody
the main principle of Kotarbinsky’s output: the re-creation
in art of an ideal harmony that has been lost from life. Painted
by a fine master of composition and light, this decorative diptych
unites architectural and landscape realia with a salon subject and
a hint of mysticism. The typical and easily recognisable ancient
forms remain in the master’s canvases – terraces, steps, the bases
of pillars – a view over the sea lit by a setting sun, the passionate
search for an ideal of southern beauty, all accomplished in a
modern style: these better than anything else characterise the artist’s
“trademark” style.
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.