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Lot Essay
This work is sold with a photo-certificate from David McNeil.
According to V. Rakitin, this drawing was skilfully executed by Chagall in one of the private studios he attended when he was in St. Petersburg. He would go there in the evenings with young Russian fellow artists and practice drawing from models.
The unusual and ambitious pose of the female nude leaning against the table was challenging, but Chagall easily overcame the difficulties. The fluidity of his pencil simultaneously encompasses the curves of the woman's body as well as the weight of her massive form, almost collapsed on the table. The present drawing shows an awareness of Old Master works, which Chagall would have frequently admired at the Hermitage whilst studying in St. Petersburg. He particularly had a preference for the Italian masters and 17th century Dutch artists which he shared with his beloved Bella.
According to V. Rakitin, this drawing was skilfully executed by Chagall in one of the private studios he attended when he was in St. Petersburg. He would go there in the evenings with young Russian fellow artists and practice drawing from models.
The unusual and ambitious pose of the female nude leaning against the table was challenging, but Chagall easily overcame the difficulties. The fluidity of his pencil simultaneously encompasses the curves of the woman's body as well as the weight of her massive form, almost collapsed on the table. The present drawing shows an awareness of Old Master works, which Chagall would have frequently admired at the Hermitage whilst studying in St. Petersburg. He particularly had a preference for the Italian masters and 17th century Dutch artists which he shared with his beloved Bella.