KOROVIN; KONSTANTIN ALEKSEEVICH
Moscow 1861 - 1939

Young Lady with a Bouquet of Roses. Late 1920's. Oil on canvas. 83;5 x 63;5cm. Signed lower left: Const Korovine. Framed.

Verso:
The stretcher is inscribed with red coloured wax pencil: Paris Nuit Fbg.Montmartre.

Provenance:
Private collection; Germany;
Acquired by the current owner's father in Paris ca. 1960

Expert Assessment:
"In contrast to Korovin's well researched creative period in Russia (simply consider the great anniversary exhibitions 2011 in the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg and 2012 in the Tretjakow Gallery in Moscow) we only know little about his time in Paris (after 1922). However; several large-size works from the last two decades of his life having recently appeared on the art market show that Korovin remained faithful to his method and his subjects until last. Among the favourite subjects of the artist were the so-called "Nocturne"; nocturnal depictions of a person or two in a moon- or candle-lit interior. Korovin was creating such paintings since the 1900's. 'The Young Lady with a Bouquet of Roses' is an interpretation of this subject during Korovin's late creative period.
The work was rendered in a size which Korovin preferred since ca. 1910. While the lady's evening dress and her hairstyle reflect the fashion of the late 1920's resp. early 1930's; her pointed shoes correspond to Korovin's penchant for the fashion before 1914. The pattern of the fabric is familiar to earlier portraits by the painter (e.g. In Summer. The Lilac; 1894; Tretjakow Gallery; portrait of N. Agapjewa. Lady with Apples; 1922; private ownership); however; it is not black on white anymore but white on black. The often depicted green shawl in combination with the black dress set a completely new colour accent in the image. Korovin adored flowers and often gave them a special place in his portraits. In this case it is not a flower-filled vase but a flower bouquet held in the arms of a lady. The artist probably emphasizes her artistic profession and the fact that she acts as a model for him after her nightly performance on stage. Therefore; it cannot be ruled out that the portrait was created in the context of Korovin's work for Maria N. Kuznetsova's and Prince Alexis Ceretelli's Op閞a Russe in Paris in 1928 - 1930.
The bright terracotta coloured carpet under her feet hints at an Art D閏o style room. Through the high window and the cast-iron balcony lattice a fascinating view opens up of the brightly lit Paris at night.

Though Korovin's creativity reached its peak during his Russian years; long before he painted this image; this work shows that he still was a great master in his late years. Since his early years; this leading Russian impressionist and stage artist was interested in various types of illumination (Northern Lights; moon and candle light as well as electric lighting) and their combination to create different light effects. It is the strong; modern lighting; presumably the light of a chandelier; which brings about the contrasts and the particularly strong shadows in this painting. An intensely blue area on the dark hair of the woman is the spot where the strong light of the lamp hits the dim light coming through the window. A daring detail only a bold colourist would be capable of." [translation]

We would like to thank Dr. Olga Sugrobova-Roth for her kind support.
Art trade; Van Ham.