- 59
Boris Izrailevich Anisfeld
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description
- Boris Izrailevich Anisfeld
- Sadko, the Underwater Kingdom
- signed in Cyrillic, inscribed Sadko and dated 1911 l.l.
- watercolour and pastel heightened with white, silver and gold on artist's board
- 69.5 by 79.5cm, 27 1/4 by 31 1/4 in.
Provenance
Acquired by George Frederick Sampson in Russia, circa 1917
Thence by descent to his daughter, London
A gift from the above to the present owner
Thence by descent to his daughter, London
A gift from the above to the present owner
Exhibited
St Petersburg, Mir iskusstva, 1912, no.19
Literature
Exhibition catalogue Mir iskusstva, St Petersburg, 1912, p.3, no.19 listed
Condition
The top and left edges of the board are uneven and it is slightly bowed. There are minor losses along the top and bottom edges and the left, right and bottom edges have scattered punctures. To the left of the centre is an area covered with an uneven layer of varnish which has very fine cracks throughout. The area around the face of Sadko is flaking and the varnished areas show a couple of minor scattered areas of paint loss. There is a small patch of craquelure approximately 6cm from the centre of the right edge. There is a diagonal scratch of approximately 6cm in the upper right corner. There is a light layer of surface dirt. Held in a simple frame behind 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes production of Sadko premiered in Paris in 1911. The ballet was based on a single scene of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's original opera and Boris Anisfeld's design depicts the wedding of the musician Sadko and the Sea Princess Volkova in her watery kingdom.
Anisfeld was a member of the World of Art group who adopted many of the principles of Art Nouveau, the influence can be seen in the richly decorated surface, the flashes of silver and gold and the serpentine figures of the underwater guests. This work was amongst those the artist exhibited at the 1912 World of Art exhibition in St Petersburg and was published as a postcard by the Community of St Eugenia.
Anisfeld was a member of the World of Art group who adopted many of the principles of Art Nouveau, the influence can be seen in the richly decorated surface, the flashes of silver and gold and the serpentine figures of the underwater guests. This work was amongst those the artist exhibited at the 1912 World of Art exhibition in St Petersburg and was published as a postcard by the Community of St Eugenia.