Lot 41: Elena Andreevna Kiseleva (Russian, 1878-1974) Portrait de femme

Portrait de femme
signed, dated 'June 26, 1930' and inscribed in Cyrillic 'Belgrad' (upper right)
oil on canvas
88.3 x 106cm (34 3/4 x 41 3/4in).

Elena Kiseleva was born in Voronezh and began her artistic training in one of the local art schools. She was accepted into the Academy of Art and studied under the legendary Ilia Repin. In 1908, she relocated to Paris where she was successfully integrated into the diverse artistic community there. She travelled widely through Italy and Germany, only briefly returning to her motherland in 1917-1920, but eventually settling in Belgrade. Actively participating in international art exhibitions, she became known as a talented portrait painter. The offered lot is an enchanting example of her signature style.

In this painting, a beautiful young woman is seated at an angle in a tall, imposing chair from which she gazes confidently and calmly. Everything about her and around is in harmony, from the theatrical placement of her hands to the elegant silhouette of her black shawl which deliberately reveals her glorious neckline and bare shoulders. The regal monumentality of the figure and the sense of elegant repose are softened by the nervous fringe of the coral over-sized shawl on the back of the chair which casts a warm rosy glow onto the bare skin of the sitter.