Notes: A pair of hand-coloured lithographs, matted and framed behind glass, by important Russian artist, illustrator and graphic designer Sergei Vasil’evic Chekhonin (1878-1936), signed in pencil l.r. and numbered l.l. 82/100.
They depict a sophisticated bouquet of wild flowers expertly arranged in futurist vases, both most likely one of Chechonins’ own designs, resting on a table in bunched lush fabrics. The watercolor highlights and wash have been expertly added by hand to bring life and depth the images.
Condition: They are in Very Good Antique Condition.
For Accuracy Only: there is some overall light fading commensurate with age but overall the impression is strong and colourful, the hand-coloring is original and not added at a later date. They are framed and matted behind glass, ready for display.
They were matted and framed at Salmon Arts, Toronto, sometime in the 1930s. There is some overall light fading but the overall impression is strong and colourful.
Artist Biography: Sergei Vasil’evic Chekhonin (Russian, 1878 – 1936) He has created illustrations, caricatures, drawings and vignettes for many magazines and books, and is considered the most outstanding book illustrator in pre-revolutionary Russia. First schooled at the Art School of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (1896-1897); studied under Iilya Repin at the Princess Maria Tenisheva’s private Art School in St. Petersburg (1897-1900). Worked in both sculpture and ceramics at the Abramtzevo Ceramic Studio in Moscow (1904-1906). Contributed caricatures and cartoons to Russian revolutionary journals (1905-06). Worked for the Piotr Vaulin factory creating majolica architectural panels for buildings in St. Petersburg (1907). Joined and exhibited at the World of Art society (1910-1924). Acted as a specialist consultant on artist crafts for the Ministry of Agriculture, and was director of a school for decorative work with enamel at Rostov-Taroslavsky (1913-1918). Headed a section of the State Porcelain Factory during two periods (1918-1923 and 1925-1927), and there organized a temporary art and design section at the former Baron A. Stieglitz School. Served as artistic director of the Volkhov Factory near Novgorod (1923-1924). Participated in and received the Gold Metal at Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs in Paris 1925. Emigrated to Paris in 1928. Worked as designer for “Chauve-souris” Cabaret and the Ballets Russes Vera Nemchinova in Paris (1929) and Vogue magazine.
