Artist of the week. Vladimir Yakovlev
ARTinvestment.RU   24 января 2018

In 1970-е his works became decoration of many apartments and dachas of Soviet physicists and poets. Powerful, popular, very Russian in spirit to the artist. It is symbolic that the flower Yakovlev designed the cover of the second volume of the "Other art"

Vladimir Igorevich Yakovlev — one of the legends of post-war unofficial art. And probably the feeling that he lived and worked in what-то ancient times. In fact, he died not so long ago, in 1998, in a psychoneurological boarding school in ' 64. 10 Oct 2018-го will be 20 years from the date of death.

This artist is not simply forgotten. On the contrary. Exhibitions Yakovlev-прежнему crowded. Every year there are new testimonies and memoirs of friends, one gets a clearer overall picture. At this historical distance is still easier to see its scale and significance for Russian art. For 20 years, nothing for him has not changed for the worse. As in life, Yakovlev remains one of my favorite artists, the collectors, simple fans and, importantly, from colleagues.

This is one of the sixties the first row, I never from anybody did not hear a bad word. Even from artists, often characterized by the harshness and intolerance towards colleagues. About anyone and anything, but that's about Yakovlev — is always with respect and reverence. Professionals and ordinary art lovers, all recognize in him a unique gift of the intuitionist. It was a care and often cared for almost as a child. At different times Yakovlev helped a lot of people: Mikhail Grobman, and later Vladimir Nemukhin, numerous friends, even our famous naive artist Katya Medvedeva. And life Yakovlev was, to put it mildly, not sugar. By ordinary standards, or just a painful life. From his youth he suffered from progressive mental illness, was ugly, his physical health also deteriorated steadily. Yakovlev, for many years has lost his sight, and in 1970-х almost completely blind (much better than he was only at the end of life in 1990-х, after surgery center Fyodorov). So imagine for a moment what life was like a sick, half-blind artist, a significant portion of life spent in a private hospital. But Yakovlev extremely bravely endured dropped him sorrow, accept my fate as it is. Over time, he learned to manage his condition when he felt that the moment of escalation — himself asked to the doctors in the orphanage, to the hospital. But the amazing thing is that these monstrous clamped in a vise — social and personal — Yakovlev how-то miraculously found and brilliantly realized its divine destiny. The envy of many other, strong, healthy and gifted, he managed to leave a bright trace in the history of Russian art, to give their talent and gain recognition while still alive.

Yakovlev began to draw in 1957-м, after the festival of youth and students. 23-летний photorestorer publishers "Art", young man with a five-grade education, he was shocked to innovative works of contemporary foreign artists. And pretty soon he took up the brush. The first works of the young self-taught steel abstraction. To get started directly. Friend, artist Leo Povzner, recalled that in those years young and full of energy Yakovlev was quickly nicknamed "tachist". Today the early works of this period there is almost no market, and even exhibitions can be seen not often. I heard that most of the abstract works were taken away in a private collection and is abroad (probably Grobman). Original figurative and recognizable of all the images of Yakovlev appeared only in two-три years after abstraction, in the early 1960-х. The most famous of them — portraits, boats, roosters, a cat with a bird (a reimagining of the eponymous work by Picasso) and of course the audience favorite flowers.

In the early 1960-х about Yakovlev knew not only their narrow circle. Information about distinctive talent quickly spread through the apartment exhibitions Yes kitchen discussion. One of the first Yakovlev's work was to buy and sell underground bookseller and man of La Boheme Alexander Vasilyev — is the son of film Director Georgy Vasilyev, the Director of the film "Chapaev". In spite of all the other authoritative opinions, Vasiliev believed Yakovlev, when even a Tsirlin, no Kostaki — none of the serious collectors do not perceive the strange young artist seriously.

Soon, Yakovlev was supported by other knowledgeable people. In 1959-м one of the first apartment exhibitions staged who moved to Moscow from Paris, the composer and musician Andrei Volkonsky. Later there were other housing impressions (Evgeny Nutovich, with other collectors). Official and semi-official exhibitions were rare. In 1962 what-то mysteriously personalku Yakovlev managed to arrange at the Moscow engineering-строительном Institute. And in 1963-м in the Dostoevsky Museum held a joint exhibition of Yakovlev Eduard Steinbaum. It was organized by Mikhail Grobman. The artist and poet, Creator of the term "second Russian avant-garde," he was among the first to appreciate the artist's talent and a lot of efforts were made to promote his work. Selected and arranged at the apartment in textile workers a permanent exhibition of his work, sold his gouaches collectors and visiting foreigners, actively traded Yakovlevskaya drawings, as well as forces led systematization and cataloging. Thanks Grobmanu and other active friends of the artist, flower Yakovlev has become, one might say, intellectual totem in the apartments of the intelligentsia. A few years ago, I asked Grobman about the nature of popularity Yakovlev. Wanted to check my version of that is "samarastroydetal spiral": say, the advent of affordable works in a large number of families in itself stimulates the growth of interest in the artist and contributes to the further expansion of the circle of his admirers. Partlyagreeing, Grobman added another interesting detail: it turns out that Yakovlev sometimes gave his work not for money, but just — to hang for a while. With the proviso that if the person will like it, then you can buy them. And indeed, having lived with his work what-то time, almost everyone knew that are unable to part with them. Most eventually bought. Now many of these things from the heritage of grandparents and parents at-прежнему stay in the families — to leave them people do not want.

It is I'm trying to build a version of why on the market there is a shortage.

But Yakovlev worked hard, intensely, sometimes violently. Who saw, how it works, times have even started to fear: "Volodya, take a breath, take a break, rest your eyes!" The number of papers is simply enormous. From-за poor health he was assigned pills, so Yakovlev rarely drinking alcohol, not burning through life as many, and sought solace in work. Friend, collector, Nikolai kotrelev was told that, even being on other people's feasts, the artist was looking for an opportunity as soon as possible as-нибудь to occupy myself with drawing. In one sitting Yakovlev could draw a dozen gouaches. Live it. Couldn't help it. Sometimes almost all of his tiny room-пенал adjacent to the parents ' bedroom, was filled with scrolls of paper with its graphics.

What is the nature of inspiration Yakovlev? How was born such images? Why in its colors, viewers see no more still lifes and self-portraits? Much remains a mystery. It is obvious that the source of his creative impulses — were not calculated, not rational, not a book. In adulthood Yakovlev hardly read, could not. But he really liked the talk. Loved him-нибудь read. Eagerly listened to interesting and knowledgeable people. Attended lectures and are generally well versed in the history of art. However, Yakovlev's figurative since the mid-1960-х years is not like anything in the world, one direction. His work — is, of course, is not naive art (which on formal grounds when Yakovlev-то good faith ranked art Xenia Bohemia). To see this, it suffices to take any directory primitives and see how Yakovlev stands out with a voltage and technology. But it's really intuitive, emotional letter, very intimate, with a particularly distorted, "broken" optics.

Yes, according to-другому and could not be. By the time my eyes done, which he did in 1990-е years, Yakovlev lost his eyesight nearly 90 %. He literally was broken geometric perception. What-то incredible effort he has learned to cope even so — worked peripheral vision. Those who saw Yakovlev examines the big picture, marveled: bringing his face almost touching the canvas, centimeter examined gigantic canvases and then was surprised by the overall picture and meaning of what he saw. Viewers with twenty-twenty vision could see and understand much less than this half-blind artist.

the Exhibition fate Yakovlev, given the challenging "starting conditions", has developed quite successfully. The artists took him into the thick of important events. In 1974 Yakovlev participated in officially sanctioned trip in the Izmailovo forest Park (is that allowed after the crackdown "bulldozer exhibition"). In 1975, he was among the chosen participants of the landmark exhibition in the pavilion "beekeeping" ("Evening Moscow" called it "the avant-garde of the bourgeoisie"). And immediately afterwards took part in the "Culture House" at ENEA. 1977 Yakovlev regularly exhibited in the city Committee schedules on the little Georgia, 28. Parallel to his work, the viewers have seen in many exhibitions abroad (in the field of exhibitions "the Museum of Russian art in exile" Alexander Glezer, etc.). Fortunately, Yakovlev survived to the most important exhibition in the career of any Russian artist: in 1994, he held a personal exposition in the Tretyakov gallery.

What can you say about the market and prices? For starters, the fact that the price in the case of Yakovlev — is the last issue that should concern the buyer. Much more important to securely understand the authenticity. Alas, in this case nasmotrennost and analysis directory — skill may be important but not exhaustive. The fact that counterfeiting is, unfortunately, leaked like exhibitions and exhibition catalogs. And auctions, including (and perhaps primarily) Western, just teeming with falshakami under Yakovlev. The situation launched so that you can allow yourself the Fronde: even our database of auction results (where part of the questionable activities Yakovlev marked with red lights) will not help a potential buyer to navigate with prices, if he is a beginner in this topic. An experienced person — and another thing, our information will be helpful. But for those who only recently came to know and love the work of this artist, you need to make decisions with great care.

it is Easy, however, to talk about caution. Unfortunately, Yakovlev is widely spread not only clumsy falshaki, which are calculated at times, but also high quality fakes. For example, found the lifetime gouache, nastlannye, on the back they have these labels, do made by Yakovlev. That's just painted these gouache paintings were not by him but by other artists. How could this be possible? It is difficult to say. I was told that happened to Yakovlev, the mood approached friends and colleagues-художники with a request: "Volodya, sign, please, my job." But he refused, signed. Why? Whether the memory had no hope, and maybe, justdoubted and did not want to offend friends. I do not know. I read that even at exhibitions where people come Yakovlev himself, sometimes hanging his forgeries. But I have never seen evidence that this is by nature a quiet and humble artist to make noise on this occasion. Thoughts Yakovlev was too far away from future problems is unknown to market participants.

Yakovlev to Buy now is not just only-за fakes. For starters, on the market why-то was a few of his works. In particular, at the auctions pictures and even more pictures Yakovlev occur in times less than the works of the same time. And take-то where? Previously one of the least risky ways was buying things directly from the family. It will be probably expensive, probably at the upper end of the market even higher. But if such a thing comes along, it is not a sin to overpay — for provenance and quality.

When you buy things at auction, and even more so with the hand you need to consider a few important points. First-наперво to check that the work was accompanied by the correct examination. In Moscow there are several reputable experts Yakovlev. Myself I trust the opinion of Alexander Kronik (collector, admirer Yakovlev and head of the Yakovlev Foundation), Sergey Alexandrov (collector, consultant, dealer, curator of exhibitions) and Valeria Silaeva (art historian, expert practitioner). They are all very rasmotrenie, good feeling of the artist, and their opinions (which, by the way, not always the same) are expensive. Paper with print issues only one of them — Silaev. Expert opinion with his signature take auctions. For cheap drawings and sketches (and in a mental hospital-интернатах Yakovlev did charming sketches on scraps of paper and small pieces) auction and the buyer will have enough verbal confirmation Silaeva. We, for example, if we receive such oral confirmation must specify this in the listing description. In practice, this means that the expert pattern seen, its authenticity has not alerted, in the future the money can be drawn on expert opinion. Why not at once? Response: for financial reasons, for the sake of economy. When the drawings inexpensive, the cost of the examination may be sensitive 30% of the price. Therefore, not all sellers are immediately ready to spend money on paper from the expert. But buyers I would recommend not to postpone this issue indefinitely.

since we were talking about the prices, the available work of Yakovlev — is usually pencil drawings or flomastery size of approximately 20 × 30. They can often be bought at auctions for about 30 000 rubles. It's peace, but, frankly, not spectacular, not the commercial stuff. In turn, selected large gouache with signature themes Yakovlev (especially with beautiful colors) now can cost in the range of 250 000-350 000. In 1970-е years, the relatives were selling these things for 30-50 Soviet rubles.

Paintings Yakovlev muchrare than graphics. For oil it is usually not conditions. The house to paint him was not allowed: the family initially lived in a communal apartment, in close quarters, the smell of solvents was disturbing. In hospitals especially there is no condition which is already there butter. So in 1960-х and later Yakovlev studied painting mainly in the guests, in the apartments of friends, in the workshops of other artists, during the periods when he escaped to freedom of the house for a few days. Today in Russia, a price benchmark for good oils Yakovlev — is likely already 500 000-1 200 000 rubles. Plus-минус. Much depends on the quality, size, period. And only under the condition that the picture is no question of authenticity. Naturally, these prices need the consensus of all authoritative experts. And here I will not, for the hundredth time to recall the trite advice for novice collectors. When in doubt, the authenticity is better to abandon the purchase — this time. Do not chase the cheapness in the foreign auctions — is two. And not take decisions in haste. Yakovlev need to start buying only when you feel that you almost have the knowledge and nastranost. That's three. Knowledgeable people to listen, of course, necessary and useful. But living better, still with his mind.

Vladimir Bogdanov, AI

Sources: svoykrug.com, artinvestment.ru

What else to read on the subject:
His circle. Artists-нонконформисты in the collection of Alexander Kronik;
Interview with collector Alexander Kronik;
AI: Vladimir Yakovlev, the report from the exhibition "Artists of freedom" in "the House of nashchokina";
AI: Contemporaries of the future. Jewish artists in the Russian avant-garde. 1910-е — 1980-е years
AI: Fund Exhibition of Vladimir Yakovlev in the Multimedia Art Museum.