Alexei Danilovich Kivshenko

Alexei Danilovich Kivshenko attended the Imperial Academy of Arts, later becoming professor and exhibiting with the Peredvizhniki. His oeuvre is dominated by historical, hunting and genre scenes, and his paintings are distinguished by rich hues and dynamic compositions.

In 1884-86 Kivshenko undertook a trip to the Caucasus and Turkey to collect materials for a series of paintings commissioned by the Imperial family to commemorate the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. The present work is a study for this important series, viewed by many as the greatest achievement of Kivshenko's career. The best-known oil from the commission, The Storming of the Ardahan Fortress by the Russian Troops on 5 May 1877 was displayed at the 1886 Imperial Academy of Arts Exhibition and widely praised by the press. Some of the works were also exhibited at the 1891 International Art Exhibition in Berlin. The present lot comes from the collection of George Sitwell Campbell Swinton and Elizabeth ‘Elsie’ Ebsworth, a celebrated British society lady and professional singer who grew up in St Petersburg and performed, among others, for Tsar Nicholas II.