Vasily Alexandrovich Kotarbinsky

Acquired by the present owner in 1993

Original canvas. There is a patch and a vertical line of repair running the length of the canvas, both visible from the reverse. There is a layer of surface dirt. There are fine lines of craquelure, notably to the upper section and in few places elsewhere. There is a small scratch with associated paint loss to the left of the wing. There are flecks of paint loss and infilling to the red pigment in the centre. UV light reveals a thin vertical line of retouching running from the top to the bottom of the canvas, to the right of the sitter's face, which corresponds to the repair work on the reverse. There are a number of horizontal lines of retouching to the right of this line. There is an area of retouching to the central left also corresponding to to the repair work on the reverse. There is a small area of retouching below the right eye and left cheek. There is retouching to the left edge and scattered areas of retouching throughout. Held in a gold painted 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."

Myths and legends inspired many of Vasily Kotarbinsky's paintings and he regularly produced versions of his most popular compositions. The subject of Medusa is known to us from pre-revolutionary postcard reproductions (fig.1). The present version is among his most vivid large-scale works.