MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 8-9 June 2011

8 June 2011

Artist Index / Full Catalogue


Thinking Man,

356. NEY, ALEXANDER (B. 1939)

Thinking Man, stamped with the artist's signature and dated 1976.

Brown terracotta, height 43 cm.
4,500-6,000 GBP


Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist by Mikhail Chemiakin.
Acquired from the above.
The Lili Brochetain collection, Paris.

Authenticity of the work has been confirmed by the artist.

Exhibited: La Peinture Russe Contemporaine, Group Exhibition, Palais des Congrès, Paris, France, 1976.

Literature: Exhibition catalogue, La Peinture Russe Contemporaine, Palais des Congrès, Paris, 1976.

I sent this particular work to Paris for a large group exhibition in 1976, organised with the active participation of Mikhail Chemiakin. Chemiakin also was the person who first told me about these enthusiastic Parisian collectors, the Brochetains. He mentioned to me that the artist Magritte had lived in their home for a while. Although the Brochetains collected the works of many important artists, they held a special love for artists from Russia. I remember that they had also reportedly collected pictures by my friend from youth, Edouard Zelenin, who around that time had emigrated to Paris as well. The Brochetains visited my studio at the Cité Internationale des Arts and were interested in collecting my work. They were very nice, very encouraging.

Alexander Ney


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.