Russian bid for Christie's November 28 in London will Vasily Vereshchagin painting "Crucifixion by the Romans," with an estimate of 1-1.5 million pounds

Vasily Vereshchagin
Crucifixion by the Romans
Oil on canvas. 301 x 401,3
Christie's. 28.11.11
Estimate: 1-1 5 million pounds
Source: Press Release Christie's

This fall, Christie's will offer at an auction of Russian art impressive paintings by Vasily Vereshchagin entitled "Crucifixion by the Romans," written by artist in 1887 during his stay in Paris. A preliminary assessment of fabrics, the right to possession which lovers of Russian art will be able to compete on 28 November in London, is 1-1.5 million pounds. Proceeds from the sale of paintings will fill the trust fund for the purchase of new works the Brooklyn Museum among exhibits of work last exhibited in 1932.

representative of the Brooklyn Museum: "After the museum management suspended discussions concluded that Vasily Vereshchagin painting" Crucifixion in Romans "somewhat separated from the total mass of the samples of Russian art late XIX - early XX century, represented in our congregation in the main representatives of the works of Russian modernism and the avant-garde. Of course, this work deserves a much more rich history of exposure, whereas in our museum is to last exhibited in 1932 ».

Sarah Mansfield, head of Russian art department in London Christie's:« Ability to deal with the outstanding work of art of this kind - a momentous event in the professional biographies of any specialist. Special thanks to the leadership of the Brooklyn Museum for their assistance and look forward to the moment when for the first time in 80 years Vereshchagin painting "Crucifixion by the Romans," fans can see his work around the world ».

In the room the New York Times on October 14, 1888 was posted about the fact that a number of paintings of Vereshchagin, including the present work was brought to the United States on the initiative of the Association of American art, also organizes exhibitions in New York , followed by a planned exhibition tour to other cities. All these events were preceded by an auction in New York. shows that with the incredible success took place in Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston, visited hundreds of thousands of people. Trades began November 17, 1891 at exactly 8:00 pm. According to a report published in The New York Times the next day, "the highest price was set on a large-scale painting" The Crucifixion by the Romans, "referring to a series of three works were sold at separateness. "As the last work of a trilogy devoted to the death penalty, which Vereshchagin called" Eye for eye, tooth for tooth "pattern" Crucifixion by the Romans, "startling in its scope and unusual topics. In 1899, she has exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum , which was transferred to the temporary use of John W. Brown. Seven years later she was officially donated to the museum by Mrs. Lila Brown in memory of her husband who died.

This monumental canvas was written Vereshchagin in his Paris studio, which has been specially equipped to build large-scale works. Compositional decision paintings makes an indelible impression. existing rejecting tradition according to which the figure of Christ crucified is usually placed in the center of the canvas, paints Vereshchagin Savior, to whom fell the rays of light from the right edges of the canvas. Thus, the viewer's attention first focused on the image of the crowd. The spectator feels himself a part of it, and to see what is happening he has to watch over their heads standing in front of people and horses. Above recognizable figures in merchants, the Pharisees and the followers of the Afflicted Christ hanging walls of the city, while all along the horizon lies a darkened sky. The foreground figure is occupied by Roman soldiers, armed with pikes and spears.

In any research on creativity Vereshchagin, written both before and after the October Revolution, the trilogy to which the present work, is one of the most famous and iconic creations of the artist. Vereshchagin planned its creation in 1876, and over the next ten years dreamed quickly finalize it. His dream was realized in 1887 , when this work was written.

All three members of a trilogy of work united by one theme - the extremes of death, which occurred in three of the largest empires in human history - the Roman, British and Russian , which is emphasized in names of paintings, "Crucifixion by the Romans," "Blasting the cannons of British India" and "Hanging in Russia." Each of them in symbolic form illustrates the pivotal moment in the history of every empire, faced with the greatest ethical dilemma, forcing the viewer to grieve, and appealing to his sense of justice that unites nations and generations all over the world.

Responding to criticism of the trilogy by both English and Russian audiences, Vereshchagin said "They appreciate the later centuries, these paintings will live." One hundred years from the date of this prophecy, words of the artist becomes a reality, while his striking masterpiece entitled "Crucifixion by the Romans," put up for auction.

< p class = "mat2left"> Source : Press Release Christie's