Ilya Efimovich Repin

Bukowskis Helsinki, International Autumn Auction in Helsinki, 30 November 1996, lot 249

There are three pinholes to the middle left inner frame edge and the bottom left corner. The sheet has discoloured. There is a small tear approximately 2 cm to the middle of the right inner frame edge. There is a crease above the sitter's right shoulder. There are minor scratches, rubbings and media staining to the sheet. The sheet is slightly dirty. The charcoal has smudged in places. There are a few spots of foxing. Held in a cherry colour wooden frame with floral mouldings under glass. 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."

Veronika Vasilevna Abegg-Werefkin (1872-1960) was a close friend of Ilya Repin and the two corresponded regularly.

In 1896 she married the younger brother of Marianna von Werefkin, one of Russia's leading Expressionist painters and herself a former student of Ilya Repin, but by the start of the first World War the couple had divorced and Veronika had returned to Russia.

Repin depicted Vera several times throughout his life; two portraits in pencil dated 1892 and 1908 are in the collection of the Tretyakov gallery, and further pencil sketches from 1897 are held in the Penates museum archive.

From 1915-16, Veronika rented a dacha not far from Penates, and Repin completed a portrait in oil of her dressed in Turkish costume, now in the collection of the Perm Art Gallery. 'When we have good light and warm weather', Repin wrote to her at the time, ' you must sit for me 'en plein air' and I will finish your profile portrait, which already pleases many artists'.  It is possible the offered lot was one of the preparatory studies for this portrait. 

We are grateful to Lyudmila Andruschenko, Senior Researcher at the Repin Museum, Penates for providing additional cataloguing information.