Mstislav Valerianovich Dobuzhinsky

The artist's studio
Drouot Montaigne, Paris, 2005 

S.Makovsky, F.Notgaft, The Graphic Art of M.V.Dobuzhinsky, Berlin: Izdatelstvo Petropolis, 1924, illustrated opposite p.22

The sheet is slightly discoloured and worn at the edges. The paper has a small loss in the lower left corner and appears to have been reinforced. There is some associated paintloss to this area.There is a small vertical surface scratch to the centre of the work 2.5cm long. Held in a modern wooden frame and under glass.
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Dobuzhnisky has been described as 'the singer of St Petersburg', a superb draftsman who was 'able to find poetry and plastic expression not only in architectural monuments and historical ensembles, but also in the chaotic buildings of the early 20th century, the 'urbanised space' in the wide sense of the words' (Stuart & Samarine, 101 Masterpieces: Russian Graphic Art, 1999). From 1905-1909 his urban landscapes were no longer simply illustrations, but works of art in their own right. During this period he also experimented with gouache in his compositions.

He describes his passion for the city in the book Petersburg of my Childhood: 'My first lengthy separation from St Petersburg took place when I was very young. I felt a dreadful longing for it all the time and a genuine sense of nostalgia. I would dream of life in St Petersburg as I dreamt of happiness, and whenever I happened to be there for a short time, it was a wonderful festival for me. This strong yearning for the 'Promised Land' was an entirely romantic feeling and naturally had an impact on my spiritual growth.' (M.V. Dobuzhinsky, G.I Chugunov, Petersburg of my Childhood. Moscow: Panorama iskusstv, 1982 p.143)