ORIGINAL RUSSIAN PAINTING BY MAKOVSKY 1896

VLADIMIR EGOROVICH MAKOVSKY (Russian 1846-1920)
A Muzhik in Red Tunic- a study from Barbers Along the Volga River - 1896
Oil on canvas laid down
Signed lower right
13 inches x 9.5 inches (33 x 24 cm)

Comparision: The offered painting would appear to be an oil sketch for the seated figure in the watercolor painting by Makovsky titled Barbers Along the Volga River, signed and dated 1896. See: I. Verkhovskaya, Drawing and Watercolors in Russia: Second Half of the 19th Century, Moscow, Palace Editions, 2007, page 121 where illustrated and which clearly shows the same figure as the offered lot.

Lot is accompanied by a copy of the above referenced book which illustrates on the front cover the same painting.

Makovsky took regular (annual) painting trips throughout Russia during the course of his illustrious career. In the mid of 1890s he traveled along the Volga River. The artist was fascinated with the simplicity of peasant life, seasonal workers and bargemen. As a result of this trip he created a series of paintings, color sketches and drawings with the background of Volga landscapes. Among Makowsky's biographers there is a belief that these series mirror the literary works of Maxim Gorky. Strangely enough there is one particular short story by Gorky named "About the unfortunate shaving experience" (printed in Nizni Novgorod paper, 22nd September 1896). In this particular story Gorky shares a comic experience with a very talkative barber who happens to be very critical of the works of the writer. Therefore we can imagine the colorful character of the Barber "Who loved literature, singing birds, and intellectual conversations, and when he shaves he talks and the man listens to him and forgets that along with the beard and mustache, his nose, ears and lips can be shaved off to." It is no wonder that people had a nickname for haircutters and barbers schelkach (entertaining) for that was the way for them to earn an extra tip from customers.

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Condition Report: Important Notice: The absence of condition information in the description does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition, a condition report is available by request.