Lot 132: A collection of fifteen erotic drawings

Sergei Eisenstein (1898-1948)
A collection of fifteen erotic drawings
five inscribed; two signed with monogram, inscribed and dated; two dated; one signed with initials and dated; one inscribed and dated
ten pencil on paper, three ink on paper, two pencil and ink on paper
18¼ x 14 in. (46.4 x 35.6 cm.); and smaller
Executed 1931 - 1944 (15)

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Though this inspired film maker revolutionized the world of cinema with such works as The Battleship Potemkin (1925), his drawings have remained largely unknown, though he started drawing at an early age and later made extensive use of drawings in designing his productions. While it is common practice for directors to create sketches and story boards as production aids in film making, Eisenstein's drawings stand alone as art works in their own right. His way of drawing can be likened to automatic drawing, known as being practiced by the surrealists, and was an essential outlet for Eisenstein's creativity.
A large selection of his drawings entitled The Body of the Line: Eisenstein's Drawings was presented at the Drawing Centre in March 2000.