LONDON.- Bonhams presents a painting by a prominent Russian artist, Aleksandr Yakovlev (1887-1938), estimated at £500,000-700,000, that will preview internationally in Hong Kong (Oct 3-9), Shanghai (Oct 20-21), Beijing (October 25-26) and London (November 22-25). A rare work by the Russian modernist artist will be among the highlights of the Russian Sale on November 26th at Bonhams’ New Bond Street saleroom.
Completed in 1918, Loge de Théâtre à Pekin is one of only a few large-scale paintings created during a two-year long journey across China that Yakovlev embarked upon only months before the 1917 Socialist Revolution erupted in Russia. Of many adventurous journeys to the Far East, Africa, the Middle East and the United States, this trip proved to be the most influential for the twenty-one year old artist. It laid the foundation for his artistic legacy and inspired the creation of some of the most important works in his oeuvre.
Captivated by the rich culture and art of China, Yakovlev became enamored with the colorful spectacle of classical Chinese theatre, its intricate rituals and dramatic performances. He thought of it as a window into the ancient traditions of the country, one that allowed him to understand simultaneously its heritage and modernity.
This monumental work, painted in rich tones of cinnabar red, olive green and golden brown, depicts a group of Chinese men seated in a theatre box. They are deeply absorbed in watching a performance on stage. An amusing array of their facial expressions conveys a variety of emotions and expressions. In a surprising alternative to a traditional artist signature, the banner draped across the balustrade reads, “Yakovlev. Painted by a Russian. Beijing, China. 1918.”
In 1920, the work was included in the exhibition of Yakovlev's works organized at Galerie Barbazanges in Paris. The show, featuring works inspired by his travels in the Far East, received a tremendous acclaim from Parisian critics and the public, and brought Yakovlev immediate success. A critic at the show praised the artist’s ability to depict Chinese culture “without any attempt at neo-Orientalism, with no endeavor to imitate or evoke Eastern art forms. The pictures show purity in execution, an uncompromising jewelry-like character of the masterly drawing, a clean intensity of the vivid colors, and bring fifteenth century masters of Italy, Germany and Flanders to mind at once.” The painting was later acquired around 1928 by Baron Lambert of Belgium and has remained in the hands of private collectors ever since.
Yelena Harbick, International Director for Russian Fine and Decorative arts, says, “This is an exceptional opportunity to present a painting with such broad international appeal to collectors in China, Russia and Europe. Yakovlev is an artist of phenomenal artistic accomplishment, and his extensive travels and genuine interest in native cultures allowed him to create some of the most captivating images of a world on the brink of major change in the modern era. The present masterpiece demonstrates his enormous talent, aesthetic refinement and breadth of artistic interests.”
