Abstract interior painting by renown Russian artist and theoretician of art Konstantin Istomin (1887 Kursk - 1942 Samarkand). He was born in Kursk in the family of an infantry officer, a nephew of the famous Admiral Istomin, hero of the defence of Sevastopol during 1854-1855. In 1901 the Istomin family moves to Vladivostok and Istomin takes evening lessons at local art school. In 1903 family moves to Kharkov /Ukraine . Istomin attends private studio of Paris-trained artist E.Schreider, an admirer and follower of Barbizon School, who strongly influenced Istomin`s aesthetic preferences.. In 1905 the artist involved in revolutionary movement, member of armed worker`s detachment. In the next year he was arrested by the authorities. 1906-1909- study together with V.Favorsky at Hollosy´s school in Munich. 1910-1911 -first exhibitions of his works. in 1912 he visited Greece and Italy , 1909-1913 - study in the Moscow University (art history). His work "Lemons" was exhibited at the 22nd exhibition of the Moscow artists association. in In 1918 after demobilisation from the army, he started to work in Moscow in the Visual Arts Section of the People`s Commissariat of Public Education of the Russian federation.. From 1919 to 1920 - service in the Red Army . Combat operations against Denikin as artillery commander. In 1921-1930 - activity at he Hiher art and technical workshops and higher Art and Technical Institute (VHUTEMAS-VKHUTEIN), prorector of Vhutemas and professor of painting. Member of "Makovetz" Art group (1922-1923), AHR (1931-1932) , member of exhibitions since 1910 , also in USA, Sweden, Austria, Japan. Died durind WWII in Samarkand .At the beginning of his carrier (we estimate our work from 1910s -1920s) his artist activity was influenced of french art, particularly from art of Matisse and fauvist Andre Derain. For comparison with our work see additional photos of other works by the artist from this period from the mongraphy "K.Istomin. Selected Works", edition Sovetsky Hudoznik, Moscow, 1985.

Provenance: Austrian private collection (before purchased in the auction house "Hampel2, Munich,Germany ).

Literature: Monography "K. Istomin.Selected works", Moscow, 1985; MoSolovjev V.D. "Russian Artists of 18-20th centuries"(in Russian), 2005;Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon"(in German), Lepzig, 1999.

Inscription: signed in Cyrillic lower left, on reverse old label with biography of the artist (in German).

Technique: gouache on paper. Original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed 11 1/2" x 8 1/4 " (29 x 21 cm); framed w 19 1/4 " x h 15 3/4 " (49 x 40 cm).

Condition: in good condition