Konstantin Alexeevich Korovin, 1861-1939

Original canvas. The paint surface is quite clean and there are fine lines of craquelure in places. UV light reveals very minor retouchings along he top edge. The picture is in good overall condition and ready to hang. Held in a modern gold painted wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

On the Veranda is an outstanding example of Konstantin Korovin's creative output during his last years in Russia, prior to his emigration to France in 1923.

It continues the tradition of Korovin's famous Gurzuf series, begun in the early 1910s. Lit by bright sunshine and full of colour, these works were painted en plein air in the surroundings of the artist's family dacha on the Crimean coast. Executed in a manner similar to that of a quick sketch, On the Veranda is the artist's unique take on Impressionism.

With strong, confident brushstrokes Korovin briefly outlines the interior, the furniture and the people at the table. The artist builds his composition in the manner of a photographic snapshot, capturing a fleeting moment in time. The figure of the maid dissolving into the background together with the chair suggested to the left of the foreground both help to direct the viewer's attention to the hosts, into whose private world we are about to enter.

At the same time, the lightness and seeming effortlessness of the composition are achieved through Korovin's innate knowledge of the effects of colour juxtaposition and spatial relations. The green outline of the veranda's structural elements creates the basic structure, without which the composition would risk falling apart. The use of the cold and warm greens marks the difference between the space inside and outside the veranda. Splashes of white convey the impression of bright summer sunlight, while accents of pink and blue add more depth and soften the palette.