For the anniversary "Russian auction» Christie's November 26 put masterpiece brush Boris Kustodiev "Cabby" (estimate 1,5-2 million pounds), originating from the collection of the Nobel Prize in Physics Kapitza

Kustodiev The cab. 1923
canvas. 98,3 x 81,5
work comes from the collection of Peter Kapitza, Moscow
Chrsitie's. 26.11.2012
Estimate: 1,5-2 million pounds

picture Boris Kustodiev « coachman ", written by the artist in 1923 (estimate 1,5-2 million pounds) will be auctioned for the first time" Masterpieces of Russian Art "November 26, 2012. The canvas comes from the outstanding collection of world-renowned scientists and Nobel Prize for Physics (1978) Kapitza (1894-1984), who was a friend Kustodiev. Kapitza purchased the painting from the artist's widow in 1936. Another work, exhibiting from the collection of Kapitza, is a picture Alexander Shevchenko «urban fringe" scientists acquired daughter the artist in 1963 (estimate 50-70 thousand pounds). At the anniversary auction in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Russian auction Christie's will present these works as favorites trades.

«The driver" was the main exhibit of the landmark exhibition of Russian art in New York in 1924. The exhibition, which opened in the Grand Central Palace, introduced an international audience 900 works 100 best Russian artists. Against the background of the great social upheavals of the century and established a new world order after the revolution, and then in the post-war years, it has played the role of symbolic cloth badges supplied daring experiment in Russia, embodied in a single image that Russia, which decided to present the Russian world. Emigrated from Russia Count Ilya Tolstoy said: "I am not an art critic. I did not come to watch the picture, and Russia to see - and see. " It is hard to overestimate the depth of penetration of creativity Kustodiev, and especially his "cabman" in mind and soul of the Russian people. The ability of the artist to reflect not short-term effects and the enduring quality of the Russian soul was the reason for the fact that this fabric was used for posters poster-American Exhibition of 1924. Later, "The driver" was exhibited in the most prestigious museums and institutions such as the State Russian Museum (1928) and the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (1960).

painting "The driver" refers to a series of works depicting popular types. Initially, this was done in a series of watercolors in 1920, and it came out in March 1923. Choosing Kustodiev main theme of his work reflects a desire to convey the essence of the elusive Russian soul. Kustodiev's own words fully reflect the artist's credo: "I do not know whether I have succeeded to make and express through my things that I wanted - the love of life, joy and cheerfulness, love for his" Russian "- it was always the only "story" of my paintings ... "(quoted from the book of A. Kapralova" B. M. Kustodiev ", Leningrad, 1967, p 181). Peering into the "cabman" which spread his arms - a kind of father of the Russian land - we are once again we see how modestly priced their works Kustodiev.

Kustodiev (1878-1927) born in Astrakhan. Despite the fact that in those places there was no art school, XV Wanderers exhibition, including works and Archaeology , produced the nine Kustodiev impressed. Enrolling in 1896 at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, in February 1898, he received the right to visit the studio of Repin, where he studied painting with Ivan Ivan S. Kulikov , Malyavina and Alexander Murashko . Repin soon said Kustodiev impressed with their success and the pride and the main hope of the Academy. Having started his artistic career in the field of portraiture and creating a lot of great work, the best of which - portraits of his wife, children and close friends, Kustodiev still not replaced Repin in this field. The artist found his subject, which was based on the life of the Russian provinces, and became master of the portrait of Russia itself.

Source : Press Release Christie's