Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Bonhams New York Exhibts Two Works By Russian Painter Vasili Polenov

Bonhams offers a rare New York preview of two important and new to market paintings by the acclaimed Russian artist, Vasili Polenov (1844-1927) during the month of October. Scheduled to be sold Nov. 30, 2011 at the Bonhams gallery on New Bond Street in London, these two masterpieces, from the “golden period” of Russian 19th century painting, are among several highlights in the upcoming Russian Art auction.

Yelena Harbick, the U.S. Director of Russian Fine and Decorative Arts states, “It is a rare honor to offer works of such historical and artistic significance in our Russian sale and to have them on preview in our New York gallery. Executed with technical virtuosity and breathtaking clarity these two paintings were part of an epic series regarded by Polenov as the foremost undertaking of his career. These are unquestionably, the most important works by the artist to ever come up for auction. We anticipate that their unparalleled artistic importance, exceptional provenance and fascinating history will generate a considerable interest not only among Russian private collectors and institutional buyers, but from international collectors as well.”

Both offered works are part of a monumental series consisting of sixty paintings titled “Life of Christ.” Completed over two decades, the series was exhibited in its entirety only once in 1909 in Russia. The exhibition was then offered the chance to exhibit in America and was reputedly scheduled to cross the Atlantic aboard the ill-fated Titanic. Due to a shipment delay, the series avoided the disastrous journey but it could not avoid being dispersed between various Russian art museums.

In 1924, the two present works were among 13 chosen to represent Polenov’s accomplishments at the highly-publicized Russian art exhibits at the Grand Central Palace exhibition in New York. They were then acquired by Charles R. Crane, an industrialist, philanthropist, diplomat and Russian art patron, who believed strongly in the cultural and intellectual exchange between nations. Passionate about his mission, Mr. Crane donated the two paintings to a North American institution, where they have remained for more than 80 years.

The first of the two paintings titled “He That is Without Sin,” (in reference to St. John, 8:7) is a version of Polenov’s earlier large-scale work with the same title that is now in the collection of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. The present work depicts a woman awaiting Christ’s judgment for her sin of adultery. Instead of passing a judgment, Christ suggests that those in the crowd “who are without sin, to throw the first stone.” This message of humanism, forgiveness and love is quintessential to the work of Vasili Polenov and is one that he repeatedly returned to by reworking this scene compositionally and artistically.

The second painting, titled “He is Guilty of Death” (in reference to St. Matthew, 26:66), depicts Christ before the Great Sanhedrin, Supreme Court of Ancient Israel, after his arrest at the Garden of Gethsemane. The lonely and introspective image of Christ is in direct contrast to his hostile and aggressive surroundings, particularly the judges who ultimately would determine his fate.

The triumphant return of these paintings to public view and the art market is an event of great historical and cultural significance, which Bonhams New York is honored to host. A week-long preview in New York will be followed by an exhibition in Moscow before the highly anticipated appearance in their Russian Art auction in London.

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