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a painting of a vase with a plant in it
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6 - 6. * Dmitry Krasnopevtsev (Russian, 1925–1995)
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Estimate €40,000 - €50,000
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Description
6. * Dmitry Krasnopevtsev (Russian, 1925–1995) Still Life with a Broken Vase signed with initials in Cyrillic script and dated ‘K-84’ (bottom right) oil on Masonite 60 x 40 cm (23 5/8 x 15 3/4 in). Provenance Acquired directly from the artist in Moscow Collection of Eric Peschler, Switzerland Thence by descent to the present owner A proponent of the metaphysical still life, Krasnopevtsev made the exploration of the plane his primary artistic objective. Still life became the main genre in which Krasnopevtsev worked, as it most fully reflected his passionate interest in collecting organic materials and antiques. The various vessels, twigs, shells and jugs that filled the surface of the Masonite became a unique materialisation of the artist’s reflections on eternity and the complexity of existence. By eliminating air, dynamism and any emotion from his paintings, and by giving all objects the same texture, the artist made his metaphysical still lifes an expression of his own unique world, in which he sought refuge from an unattractive reality. This dramatic withdrawal into himself left its mark not only on his paintings but on all his artistic works. In *Still Life with Broken Vase*, the artist presents a concise and carefully balanced composition, consisting of enlarged, generalised forms. Krasnopevtsev’s visual language is characterised by a meticulous rendering of textural roughness, and the expressiveness of lines and shadows, which outline the silhouettes in a calligraphic manner. The colour scheme of the painting is almost monochromatic, with its grey and sandy tones, yet the artist finds a multitude of gradations and nuances within these shades. In Krasnopevtsev’s works, the source of light is often unclear: the entire surface is bathed in an even glow. The subdued light seems to emanate from the objects themselves, blurring the boundaries of time and space. Stones and jugs are a recurring motif in Krasnopevtsev’s works. In his art, simple objects take on additional meanings, creating both a visual and symbolic level of interpretation. The composition possesses a Suprematist clarity; at the same time, however, the emphasis is on history and a bygone era.
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About the sale The Eric A. Peschler Collection: Non-Conformist Art of the Soviet Era
Auction location
Auction time 10/05/2026 at 12:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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