Boris Pastoukhoff (Ukrainian/ Russian/ French , 1894-1974)
Still life with fruits
signed in Latin (lower right)
oil on canvas
60 x 74cm (23 5/8 x 29 1/8in).
Footnotes:
Provenance
Rossini, Paris, Dessins, Sculptures, Peintures, 27 June 2006, lot 196
Private collection, UK (acquired from the above sale)

Born in Kiev in 1894, to rich merchants, he is described as a patriot, letter-writer, and artist. He joined Tsar's infantry and in 1915 suffered a serious leg injury and was decorated for valour.

Pastoukhoff had started studying in Kiev art school in 1913 Kiev however his exile had interrupted his studies and it was not until 1921 that he had been able to enter an academy, this time in the academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. Portraiture excited him at the outset and in 1925 he was commissioned by the Yugoslav court to paint King Alexander I and other members of the Royal Family. His career was launched and from then on and he was in demand to paint portraits for the highest and the richest in the land. In 1928 a portrait was exhibited at the Town Hall in Paris and won the Grand Prix with Gold Medal. In 1942 he married his companion and pupil Julia Worswick and whilst living in Paris he took up French nationality. The present lot is a brilliant example that not only was Pastoukhoff a master of the portrait but also of still life.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: AR
AR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.

The work has not been inspected out of the frame. Canvas is not lined. Painting will benefit from cleaning. Inspection under the UV light did not reveal areas of retouching.