Marie Vassilieff (Russian, 1884–1957)

LOT ID: 78152

Still Life with Masks in a Window, 1946

Mixed Media, gouache over pencil on cardboard with silver paint

21 х 16.5 in. (53.34 x 41.91 cm.)

Signed, in Latin, inscribed Paris and dated 1946 l.l

Lot description

A wonderful and important example of Marie Vassilieff's work, Still Life with Masks in a Window, showing the clear influence of a number of the avant garde artists in her circle, most notably Modigliani, the Cubist masters Braque and Picasso and the earlier Symbolist painter Odilon Redon. The work is gouache over pencil on cardboard with silver paint. The composition is strong with deep and vivid colouration.

Vassilieff studied at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, before she left her homeland, Russia and settled in France. On her arrival in Paris in 1905 she enrolled at Matisse's Academy where she became acquainted with many artists and writers who where considered to be the intellectual elite of Paris.

In 1909 she founded her own Académie Vassilieff, which became a popular rendezvous for the most progressive literary and artistic personages in the city. Braque, Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, Salmon and Jacob were all habitués. Leger gave a series of lectures there in 1913.

During the years of the Great War, Vassilieff used her Académie as a base for a canteen, which she set up for all the academics and painters in Paris who found themselves in financial difficulties. Her extensive tours to Spain, Romania, Poland and Scandinavia were inspiration for many of her work. Marie Vassilieff was most successful during the period when Cubism reached its peak. In the late 1920's she held a one-man show in London, Italy and the Midi, where she then lived. In Paris she showed her work frequently at the Salon des Indépendants, Salon d'Automne and Salon d'es Tuileries. In 1979 her work was included in a Paris Moscow exhibition held at the Centre George Pompidou, Paris.

Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Condition Report
Condition Report

The seller has recorded the following condition for this lot:

Description:	Are there any restorations?
Date	1970/c
Date
Location:	Other location
Location:
Area:	Other area
Degree:	Minor
Notes:	The paint surface has the artist's original unvarnished surface. There are some small areas of gloss where it appears that adhesive has been applied to consolidate some areas of the paint surface. There are some old areas of paint loss most notably around the four framing edges. These could be consolidated, filled and retouched. Inspection under ultra-violet show some areas of retouching, the most significant of which are: 1) a horizontal line of retouching measuring approximately 8 cm in length running from the hair of the mask on the left through the face and right eye of the mask on the right, 2) retouchings covering paint losses along the lower horizontal framing edge, 3) an area of retouching to the chin of the mask on the left, 4) two horizontal lines of retouching within the blue vase in the lower right of the composition, and 5) an area of retouching to the right of the left eye of the mask on the right. There are other scattered retouchings. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in reasonably good condition and would benefit from the localised consolidation, infilling and retouching of any areas of paint loss.


Date
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Further information details

Description:	Surface Soiling
Date
Date
Location:
Location:
Area:
Degree:
Notes:

Specific Areas	Yes
Date
Date	Unavailable – contact Specialist for details
Location:	Other location
Location:
Area:	Other area
Degree:	Minor
Notes:	There is a small indentation to the board within the darker blue pigments in the upper part of the composition, and two minor indentations within the silver white pigments towards the upper part of the right vertical framing edge. There is a further very small hole within the pale green pigments towards the centre of the upper horizontal framing edge and a very minor indentation to the upper framing edge just above and to the right of this.
Further information details

Definition Key

History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Provenance:
Private Collection, London
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Shipping Carrier:
Courier

Shipping Weight: 5 lbs

Framing: Yes (0 x 0 inches)

Item Location: United Kingdom

Shipping Options:
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Payment and Return Policies
Accepted:
Wire Transfer

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Contact the Specialist

Ben Hanly

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Lot ID

78152

Artist

Marie Vassilieff

Title

Still Life with Masks in a Window

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Margin Area	Edge, border, or perimeter areas
Image Area	Central image, focal point of the item/image.

Minor	Existing condition generally does not involve risk of loss
Moderate	Noticeable, increasing in severity and/or size; not serious, but should be monitored or corrected by a conservator
Major	Distinct, recognizable damage; stability of the work is questionable; risk is a factor; requires the attention of a conservator
Extreme	Advanced and severe damage; work is insecure and at great risk

Marie Vassilieff (Russian, 1884–1957) LOT ID: 78152 Still Life with Masks in a Window, 1946

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Ben Hanly

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