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painting of a painting of a cityscape with a building in the backgroundpainting of a sunset over a city with a building in the backgrounda picture of a painting on the wall of a building
Hermitage Fine Art

124 - KONSTANTIN FINOGENOV (1902–1988) Shanghai in the morning sig…
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
KONSTANTIN FINOGENOV (1902–1988) Shanghai in the morning signed (bottom right), signed and inscribed in Cyrillic ‘Shanghai utrom / Finogenov K. I.’ (on the reverse) gouache on panel 41.5 × 71 cm Painted around the 1950s Painted towards the end of 1949 – early 1950; this work was probably inspired by Konstantin Finogenov’s participation in the first Soviet artistic delegation sent to the newly established People’s Republic of China in the autumn of 1949, shortly after its proclamation on 1 October. Organised to celebrate the creation of the new socialist state and the victory of the Chinese Communist Party, this visit marked the beginning of a decade of close Sino-Soviet cultural cooperation, formalised by the Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance in 1950. Travelling across China, Finogenov documented cities undergoing rapid transformation, industrial achievements and everyday life. During the delegation’s stay in Shanghai, he visited one of the country’s largest textile factories, which employed mainly women, and took panoramic views of the city, including this work. During the trip, he depicted prominent figures of the Communist Party, Sun Yat-sen’s mausoleum, soldiers, workers, peasants, women and children, as well as scenes from traditional theatre and dragon dances, creating one of the earliest Soviet artistic records of the new People’s Republic. Konstantin Ivanovich Finogenov (1902–1989) was a Soviet painter and graphic artist, winner of the Stalin Prize and one of the leading exponents of Socialist Realism. As a war artist during the Second World War, he worked for Pravda and TASS, documenting major military campaigns, including the Battle of Stalingrad and the capture of Berlin. After the war, he travelled extensively throughout the USSR and abroad, producing series devoted to China, Korea, Egypt and India. From 1951 to 1983, he taught at the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute, whilst his works were acquired by the collections of the Soviet Union’s leading museums. At the buyer’s request, we will be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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About the sale FINE ART: 19th-century art, Modern and Contemporary art, Eastern European art, Icons
Auction location
Auction time 07/14/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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