The auction house expects the two pictures of a large-scale polenovskogo series "Life of Christ" will draw great interest of buyers to the November Russian trading. Estimeyty canvases were 1,2-1,8 million and 600-800 thousand pounds

two rare works by famous Russian artist Vasily Vasily Polenov will be one of the main lots Russian Trading Bonhams, which will be held on November 30 in London. Linens Polenov "Christ and the Sinner (Who among you without sin?)", Estimated at 1.2-1.8 million pounds, and "is guilty of death" with an estimate of 600-800 thousand pounds for the first time in November, will appear in the auction. < /p>

BASIL POLENOV Christ and the Sinner (Who among you without sin?) Bonhams. 30.11.2011 Estimate: 1.2-1.8 million pounds Source: Press Release Bonhams

Both works are composed of 60 canvases grand cycle Polenov "From the Life of Christ." paintings in this series, which the artist created over twenty years, were shown in full only once - in 1909 year. Then the show was invited to the USA and had to cross the Atlantic aboard the infamous "Titanic." With a happy coincidence (delays in the shipment), masterpieces were not included in the ill-fated ship, but they could not later avoid the scattering of collections of various Russian museums.

Eugene Tesluk, head of the Russian department in London, Bonhams, said: "We are delighted to offer two great works by Russian Polenov auction in London. The work, which differ brilliant technique and a powerful emotional charge, represent the creativity of the artist in top form. Polenov - one of the most popular in Russia, painters, and his paintings on religious themes differ very special, intimate expressiveness. We are thrilled to once again present these two works to the public after more than 80-year break ».

In 1924, two paintings were among the Polenov thirteen of his works selected for exhibition in the Russian part of the "Grand Central Palace" in New York, received excellent press coverage. There they were purchased by an industrialist, philanthropist, diplomat and patron of Russian art by Charles Crane (Charles R. Crane), who fervently believed in the importance of cultural and intellectual exchange among nations. Desiring to contribute to this important cause, Crane gave a gift to the North American web community, to whom they belonged to more than 80 years.

One of the two works, "Christ and the Sinner" (an episode from the Gospel of John), - a version of an earlier large-scale paintings of the same name, which is now in the collections of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. The canvas depicts Christ, who, defending the adulteress, addresses the crowd with the famous words: « Who among you is without sin, let him first cast a stone at her." This is a message of love to the people and forgiveness - the semantic web Polenov nucleus, which often returned to his work and to the idea, and to this subject.

BASIL POLENOV guilty of death Bonhams. 30.11.2011 Estimate: 600-800 thousand pounds Source: Press Release Bonhams

The second product, for which participants will be able to fight the November auction - painting "is guilty of death", referring to the episode of the Gospel of Matthew. It depicts Christ before the Sanhedrin Court (the highest judicial body of ancient Israel) after he was arrested in Gethsemane. A solitary figure contemplates Christ contrasts with the images of hostile judges, in whose hands his fate lies.

Hebrik Elena (Yelena Harbick), head of the Russian fine and decorative arts Bonhams: «This by far the most important works of Polenov ever to appear at auction. We expect that their artistic value is incomparable, exceptional provenance and exciting story sure to attract the attention of not only Russian collectors and museums, and collectors from other countries ».

Return masterpieces Polenov public and the art market - an event of great historical and cultural significance. First, during the week of October will be on display in New York, then in October and November will be their pre-auction show in Moscow, after which the paintings appear on the November 30 Russian bid Bonhams in London.

Prepared by Mary Estrova, AI

Source : Press Release Bonhams