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Lot Essay
Somov was well-acquainted with the Fokins.
One of Somov's drawings, 'Ballerina V. P. Fokina', executed in New York in 1924 is in the State Russian Museum and was shown to the public in 1970 as part of an exhibition devoted to the artist.
Somov wrote about his meeting with the Fokins in the USA in 1924:
After 6pm I dressed in a tuxedo and went out to dine at the Fokin's house. A charming house, very luxurious and decorated with great taste. A wonderful dinner. We were 7, including Stanislavsky. Fokina herself is still very beautiful. Her dress and hairstyle was remarkable - she was all in black.
Letter dated 9 March 1924, p. 232
Yesterday I met Fokin at the exhibition. We discussed the ballet for ages and I gave him some words of advice. I advised that he stage a production of 'La fille mal gardée' at his new school of dance. He seemed enthusiastic.
Letter dated 16 March 1924, p. 233
We came back home around 9pm, had a quick bite, changed our clothes and left for an evening at the Fokin's. There were a lot of people there, including Knipper and Moskvin. The dinner was wonderful and the wine plentiful. They sang songs and there was a remarkable accordian player, Rams. We danced a little bit but not the Fokins, only the guests.
Letter dated 9 May 1924, p. 242
Please note that the accompanying sketch and Christmas card was commissioned by Lydia Pavlovna, Lady Deterding, 'Ah, I've just finished 'tintinka' (the very small painting), that I have to complete as soon as possible. That's why, like a black slave, without straightening my back, I worked on it for a whole week. I am awfully tired. It turned out not bad at all. Everyone who had a look at it, when practically finished, praised it. In a way, it's like a Kustodiev.
Letter dated 26 November 1924, p. 346
One of Somov's drawings, 'Ballerina V. P. Fokina', executed in New York in 1924 is in the State Russian Museum and was shown to the public in 1970 as part of an exhibition devoted to the artist.
Somov wrote about his meeting with the Fokins in the USA in 1924:
After 6pm I dressed in a tuxedo and went out to dine at the Fokin's house. A charming house, very luxurious and decorated with great taste. A wonderful dinner. We were 7, including Stanislavsky. Fokina herself is still very beautiful. Her dress and hairstyle was remarkable - she was all in black.
Letter dated 9 March 1924, p. 232
Yesterday I met Fokin at the exhibition. We discussed the ballet for ages and I gave him some words of advice. I advised that he stage a production of 'La fille mal gardée' at his new school of dance. He seemed enthusiastic.
Letter dated 16 March 1924, p. 233
We came back home around 9pm, had a quick bite, changed our clothes and left for an evening at the Fokin's. There were a lot of people there, including Knipper and Moskvin. The dinner was wonderful and the wine plentiful. They sang songs and there was a remarkable accordian player, Rams. We danced a little bit but not the Fokins, only the guests.
Letter dated 9 May 1924, p. 242
Please note that the accompanying sketch and Christmas card was commissioned by Lydia Pavlovna, Lady Deterding, 'Ah, I've just finished 'tintinka' (the very small painting), that I have to complete as soon as possible. That's why, like a black slave, without straightening my back, I worked on it for a whole week. I am awfully tired. It turned out not bad at all. Everyone who had a look at it, when practically finished, praised it. In a way, it's like a Kustodiev.
Letter dated 26 November 1924, p. 346