Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky (Russian, 1839-1915). Study After the Boyar Wedding in the Seventeenth Century, circa 1890...

Description

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky (Russian, 1839-1915)
Study After the Boyar Wedding in the Seventeenth Century, circa 1890-1900
Pastel on board
14-1/8 x 22-1/2 inches (35.9 x 57.2 cm)
Inscribed C. Makowsky and stamped Atelier Makowsky on verso

PROVENANCE:
The artist;
His daughter, Marina Makovsky Flamant, inherited from the above;
Her daughter, Marina Flamant, Paris, inherited from the above;
Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York;
Ruth S. Nelkin, acquired from the above.


Konstantin Makovsky's famous work 'A Boyar Wedding Feast in the Seventeenth Century' painted in 1883 was discussed in connection with the previous lot. This work, an unusual and slightly later study in pastel is a reworking of the composition of the completed 1883 work. Noted Russian 19th century paintings specialist Dr. E.V. Nesterov notes that in this later period in Paris, Makovsky often did reworkings of earlier compositions for his own pleasure. In 1884, Makovsky had rented 24 Avenue de l'Opera for special viewings of the work, but the painting did not catch fire as he had hoped it would. It was not until the Antwerp exhibition in 1885 that the work attained international recognition. The work clearly remained on his mind after its sale and departure for America, and this pastel was an effort on his part to revisit, from a different angle, a work that was close to his heart.

The painting on board has been mounted on a secondary board which bears the stamp "Atelier Makowsky" and several labels and inscriptions. One partial label in Russian "...[St ...udy / "Boyar Feast" and another pencil inscription reads "Study "Boyar Feast" / List 1 No. 18" as well as a Sotheby Parke Bernet Paris label with the name of the consignor, "Flamant" for Makovsky's granddaughter Marina Flamant . (For more information on Makovsky and 'A Boyar Wedding Feast in the Seventeenth Century' in Paris, see Ziesler, W. Makovsky in Paris, pp 74-104, "Konstantin Makovsky: The Tar's Painter in America and Paris, op. cit.) Nesterova notes that Makovsky often did this in his later years, and the use of pastel dates the work to the period of 1890-1900.

Heritage Auctions thanks Dr. Elena Nesterova for her advice on the dating of this lot.

Property from the Nelkin Collection



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