MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 27-30 May 2012
27 May 2012
* 118. KOROVIN, KONSTANTIN (1861-1939)
Okhotino. Springtime, signed and dated 1919.
Oil on canvas, 67 by 89 cm.
350,000–500,000 GBP
Provenance: Collection of S. Gerasimov, Moscow.
Acquired from the above.
Private collection, Switzerland.
Literature: M. Kiselev, Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin. 1861–1939, Moscow, Iskusstvo, 1971, pl. 41, illustrated.
Konstantin Korovin’s series of Okhotino landscapes constitute a special chapter in the story of his artistic career. They illustrate the artist mastering landscape painting en plein air and combining a realistic vision of nature with an Impressionist perception. The predominant influence of light on the colours of his landscapes is a distinctive feature of all his painting
of the 1910s. Contrasts of light and shade, which give rise to astonishingly beautiful half tones, are the main defining characteristic of these views of Okhotino.
In Okhotino. Springtime which is filled with a joyous light, the artist masterfully communicates the depth of the atmospheric space – the limitless heavens in the distance, the freshness of the clear sunny day and the imminence of spring’s arrival. It is significant that this painting comes from the collection of Korovin’s favourite pupil, the remarkable Russian landscape
painter Sergei Gerasimov. As the direct successor to Russia’s leading Impressionist, Gerasimov imbued his own creative work with the chief characteristics of Korovin’s landscape painting, which are embodied in this remarkable example.
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.