Lot 108: Vladimir Lukich Borovikovskii (1757-1825)

Portrait of Adam Adamovich Menelas (1753-1831)
with inscription in Russian 'The architect of the Imperial Court Adam Adamovich Menelas, who died in 1832 [sic]. Professor V. L. Borovikovskii painted [this portrait] from nature' (on a plaque attached to the frame)
oil on zinc, oval
7 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (18.1 x 14 cm.)

Collection of S. L. Beilitz, Paris.

Adam Menelas, a Scottish architect and stonemason, was invited to Russia in 1784 by Charles Cameron to work on various construction projects at Tsarskoe Selo. In 1785 he became an assistant to the poet and architect N. A. Lvov (1751-1803), who in return became his mentor and patron. In collaboration with I. A. Ivanov (1779-1848) Menelas designed Aleksandrovsky Park, creating a synthesis of the Gothic, Romantic and Classical in its pavilions, gates, the Llama House and White Tower. During the reign of Nicholas I, Menelas designed his masterpiece, Aleksandria Palace and Park, a perfect expression of the picturesque.
The present portrait appears to be another version of one painted by Borovikovskii in the 1790s and now in the State Russian Museum, St Petersburg. According to T. V. Alekseeva, the original, also on zinc, shows the influences of icon painting and the work of the portraitist, Levitsky (see Vladimir Lukich Borovikovskii, Moscow, 1975, p. 71). For an illustration of the portrait in the Russian Museum see the aforementioned publication, plate 31.

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.