Ivan Pavlovich Pokhitonov

Collection of Edouard Rasquinet, Liège
Deville Collection, Liège

Liège, Cercle des Beaux-Arts et de l'Oeuvre des Artistes, Exposition du peintre russe Ivan Pokitonow, 12-24 May 1906, no.33, Effet de neige, soleil (Russie)
Roubaix, Hôtel de Ville, Exposition Internationale du Nord de la France. Artistes du Nord de la France et Artistes Belges, June-August 1911, no.112, Journée d’hiver
Liège, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Parc de la Boverie, Association pour l ‘encouragement des Beaux-Arts, 4 May - 12 June 1912, no.393, Effet de neige, Russie
Liège, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Association pour l’encouragement des Beaux-Arts, Exposition d’œuvres d’un groupe d’artistes bruxellois et liégeois et d’œuvres modernes prêtées par des collectionneurs liégeois, 5 May - 2 June 1918, no.100, Paysage d’hiver en Russie
Antwerp, Salle Buyle, Iwan Pokitonov, May 1923, no.18, La rencontre. Neige, Russie
Possibly Liège, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Parc de la Boverie, Société Royale des Beaux-Arts, Salon Triennal de 1924, 10 May - 29 June 1924, no.67, Paysage Russie

The panel is in good order. The edges and corners are slightly worn and there is a small area of paint loss above the centre of the right edge. The top and bottom edges have discoloured and there are indentations in the paint layer from the frame. There are two small paint losses in the lower left quadrant. Fine cracks are visible throughout the paint layer, most notably in the built-up areas of white impasto. Inspection under UV light reveals no apparent signs of restoration. Held in a period gilt frame with decorative plaster mouldings. 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."

Pokhitonov returned to Russia at the beginning of the 1900s and bought a small estate at Zhabovshchizna, in Minsk province, where he spent a protracted and happy period between 1902 and 1906. Inspired again by the landscape of his native Russia these were particularly fruitful years for the artist and he painted a number of views of Zhabovshchizna in every season. Despite the thick covering of snow, construction work is obviously underway on his newly acquired estate and the figures in the foreground appear to have ridden out to oversee its progress on this beautiful, crisp winter’s day.

The present lot will be included in the second volume of the catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Olivier Bertrand and is accompanied by his signed certificate.