Paintings by Russian artists of the 20th century, sold at world auctions for millions

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Almost all art divas of the first half of the XX century, who were originally from Russia, chose Paris as their haven for life and creation. Some of them painted their pictures literally for food, others - from an excess of energy, there were also those who worked tirelessly to drown out the pain that tormented body and soul. But all these women left an indelible mark on the history of painting not only with their artistic heritage, but also with the vicissitudes of fate.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, talented women in art showed themselves sporadically, which was due to their social status and gender inequality. They had to overcome very difficult circumstances in order to devote themselves to art.

But already in the XX century, everything has changed dramatically: women from many countries, along with men, study at art academies, take part in artistic life, exhibiting their works at exhibitions, are members of various creative associations and juries.

And in Russia this period was marked by the appearance of a whole galaxy of talented artists: Natalia Goncharova, Alexandra Exter, Nadezhda Udaltsova, Lyubov Popova, Varvara Stepanova, Olga Rozanova, Vera Khlebnikova and many others.

Zinaida Serebryakova (1884-1967)

Serebryakova is a realist artist who followed in the footsteps of her ancestors, whose grandfather and great-grandfather were architects, her father was a painter and sculptor, and her uncle was a famous artist and critic. From an early age, Zinaida lived in a creative atmosphere, so she joined drawing early, which became her destiny. By marrying a cousin, she incurred the disgrace of all her relatives. She had to emigrate, leaving her children in Russia.

Today, the artist's canvases are sold in the art market for fabulous money. And living in Paris, she had to sell them for mere pennies, and for the most part just give them to customers. Due to the poverty in which the artist lived, she even had to make paints with her own hands.

The most famous painting by Zinaida Serebryakova, which brought her fame and recognition, is the artist's self-portrait "Behind the Toilet" (1909). Today this work of the artist is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery. And the painting "At Breakfast" (1914), the heroes of which were the children of Serebryakova, is considered one of the best children's portraits.

In 2015, at the Russian Sotheby's auction in London, the painting "The Sleeping Girl" by artist Zinaida Serebryakova went under the hammer for 3.85 million pounds, which amounted to about 5, 9 million dollars. Initially, this painting was estimated by experts at 600-900 thousand dollars, but during the auction its price increased six times. The canvas was acquired by a collector who wished to remain anonymous.

According to the statistics of previous auctions, I would like to note that several more works performed by the artist in the nude genre were successful in the art market. So in 2006 (Sotheby's, London) "Reclining Nude" (1930) was sold for 1.7 million dollars, and "Sleeping Nude" (1931) - for 1, 4. In subsequent years, three more paintings with naked women Serebryakova were sold for a total of $ 5.5 million.

Natalia Goncharova (1881-1962)

Natalya Goncharova is the "Amazon of the avant-garde" and the great-grand-niece of the very same Natalya Nikolaevna Goncharova, and today she is one of the most expensive artists in the history of art.

She studied the intricacies of painting with the famous painter and teacher Konstantin Korovin. Subsequently, together with her husband - M. F. Larionov, an avant-garde artist, was one of the founders of the "Donkey's Tail" association. And in 1915, having received an invitation from Sergei Diaghilev, he left for Paris to design performances at the Paris Opera and Ballet Theater.

To date, the work of Natalia Goncharova at the auction has bypassed the price of the works of all artists in the world. In 2008, the price record in the "women's competition" was broken by the painting "Flowers" (1912), sold at Christie’s auction for more than $ 10, 9 million. This canvas, combining elements of European impressionism and a completely new direction created by Goncharova and her husband - the so-called "rayonism", is considered the best among the works of the Russian avant-garde.

It should be noted that the total sales price of the previous 10 paintings by the artist was more than $ 50 million at the Christie’s and Sotheby’s art auctions. Today, many of Natalia Goncharova's works are also in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Tamara de Lempicka (1898 - 1980)

Tamara de Lempicka is one of the most famous artists of the innovative art deco direction of the 20th century. An artist with Polish roots, who lived in St. Petersburg, at the beginning of the revolutionary events, saving her husband from prison, flees with him to Paris. There she will meet her mentor, Andre Lot. In fairness, it should be said that the artist will not get up for an easel because of a good life.

Having sold all the family jewels, experiencing poverty and lack of money, Tamara had to remember her ability to draw. André Lot developed and passed on to her the knowledge of synthetic cubism. With the help of such a simplified version of cubism, Tamara was able to create her canvases with a hint of the classics - elegant female portraits and nude, which the Parisian bourgeois eagerly bought up. HER works were very successful, which allowed the artist to lead a very bohemian lifestyle.

Before the outbreak of World War II, de Lempicka moved with her second husband, a baron, to the United States. And there interest in her work gradually faded away. But in the 60s, Art Deco again found itself on the crest of a wave, but already as a symbol of a bygone era. However, quite a rise in price.

In 2011, at the Sotheby’s auction, her painting "Dream (Raphael on a Green Background)" (1927) sold for $ 8, 48 million set the author's own record. Earlier in this list, the leaders were the paintings "Portrait of Marjorie Ferry" ($ 4, 9 million) and "Portrait of Madame M." ($ 6, 1 million).

Alexandra Exter

Alexandra Exter is an original and multifaceted artist, whose creative path was in constant search. She, along with Kazimir Malevich, was a prominent representative of the "Russian school of the avant-garde", which stood at its origins.

Living in France, she was friends with Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Guillaume Apollinaire, and in 1914, returning from Paris to Russia and being well acquainted with the latest achievements of the European avant-garde, she captivated many Russian artists with new ideas. In turn, under the influence of the author of "Black Square", the artist was carried away by non-objective art. For several years she taught in Kiev, worked with the Alexander Tairov Chamber Theater in Moscow. However, in 1924 she had to leave for Paris.

Lyubov Popova (1889 - 1924)

Lyubov Popova is a master of the Russian avant-garde, painter and graphic artist, professor of VKHUTEMAS, where she worked with Vesnin, Tatlin and Malevich. Borrowing their experience and passing from Suprematism to the constructivism of industrial painting, Popova created her own unique style, which differed from the "male" avant-garde in greater decorativeness. This was reflected in her poster painting and textile design. The theater was no stranger to the artist: she decorated Meyerhold's performances. Lyubov Popova studied painting not only in Moscow, but also in Italy and France. However, the artist's life was suddenly cut short by scarlet fever. Shortly before that, she had to bury her husband and son.

The most expensive avant-garde painting is Still Life with a Tray, sold in 2007 at Sotheby`s for $ 3,521,395.

About talented women artists who worked in the 16-19 centuries and broke stereotypes in the history of art in the review.