MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 8-9 June 2011
8 June 2011
* 162. KONCHALOVSKY, PETR (1876-1956)
Winter Crops, signed and dated 1940, also further signed, dated and numbered "1339"' on the reverse.
Oil on canvas, 63 by 82 cm.
80,000-120,000 GBP
Exhibited: Paintings by P. Konchalovsky, Exhibition Dedicated to 35 Years of Painting, Moscow-Leningrad, 1941.
Literature: P. Konchalovsky, Khudozhestvennoe nasledie, Moscow, Iskusstvo, 1964, p. 143.
It is of a particular importance that the present lot was exhibited at Petr Konchalovsky's 35th anniversary solo exhibition, as well as included in the main publication on the artist, P. Konchalovsky. Khudozhestvennoe nasledie (His Artistic Legacy).
Konchalovsky was a virtuoso of artistic flexibility, and with his free sprawling, manner of painting, he was able to render precisely not only the exact characteristics of the Central Russian landscape, but also to communicate the correct light effects of certain times of day.
In the absence of any tawdry elaboration the details in his paintings appear completely lifelike. Realism, as it was understood by Konchalovsky, is "realistic" in its generalizations of nature but not in soulless imitation. The lack of any outward showiness or visual affectation means this landscape is remarkably dear to a Russian's heart. Despite its slight sense of "timelessness", the spirit of the pre-war decade is unequivocally present.
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.