Lot 87
  • 87

Konstantin Alexeevich Korovin

Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
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Description

  • Konstantin Alexeevich Korovin
  • Costume Design for Anna Pavlova as the Chrysanthemum in Autumn Leaves
  • signed in Latin l.l. and titled in Cyrillic along the top edge
  • pencil, watercolour and collage heightened with white on paper
  • 35.5 by 32cm, 14 by 12 1/2 in.

Provenance

C.W. Beaumont, London
Collection of John Carr Doughty, London
Sotheby's London, Ballet Designs from the Collection of Mr and Mrs John Carr Doughty, 4 June 1981, lot 132 

Exhibited

Arts Council Tour, Diaghilev: an Exhibition of Costume and Set Designs Chiefly for Diaghilev's Ballets, Drawn from the Collection of John Carr Doughty, 1967, listed as no.71 on p.15 of the catalogue

Condition

The cut-out figure has become loose from the sheet at the arms, legs and head. The hands have torn at the fingers which are still attached to the sheet. The sheet has discoloured and there are several waterstains. There are creases to the sheet, notably along the left and right edges. The body colour shows very fine cracks with associated paint loss. The sheet is attached to the mount along the top edge. Held in silver-gilt 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."

Catalogue Note

Autumn Leaves is a choreographic poem created by the ballerina Anna Pavlova to various pieces by Frédéric Chopin. Set in one act, it depicts the fate of a chrysanthemum bloom which is lovingly tended by a young poet and then buffeted and killed by the north wind. Korovin produced the designs for the original production of Autumn Leaves which premiered at the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro in 1918, with Pavlova as the Chrysanthemum, Alexandre Volinine as the Poet and Hubert Stowitts, the first American to star with a Russian ballet troupe, as the North Wind. The most important full ballet arranged by Pavlova, it also became one of the most successful in her repertory.