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791
1471853

Alexei Petrovich Bogoljuboff

(Russian Federation, 1824-1896)
Estimate
800 000 - 1 000 000 SEK
71 100 - 88 900 EUR
73 400 - 91 700 USD
Hammer price
Unsold
Purchasing info
For condition report contact specialist
Lena Rydén
Stockholm
Lena Rydén
Head of Art, Specialist Modern and 19th century Art
+46 (0)707 78 35 71
Alexei Petrovich Bogoljuboff
(Russian Federation, 1824-1896)

The river Don in moonlight

Signed A. Bogoljuboff in Cyrillic (lower right), inscribed "Don" (lower left) in Cyrillic. Stretcher with label from Anichkov Palace, inscribed in Cyrillic 'Property of His Imper. Highn. Alexander III, number '189/260', further inscribed in Cyrillic in yellow oil 'A.D.M. 26114', numbered in pencil '26/760/749' on both stretcher and frame, front of the original frame applied with a plaque numbered "260" and the artist's name. Canvas 32 x 50 cm.

Provenance

Commissioned by Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (future Tsar Alexander III), around 1870.
Anichkov Palace, St Petersburg, inventory no 260.
In the collection of Tsar Alexander III, Alexander Palace, Tsarskoe Selo, Inventory no A.D.M 26114.
Nationalized as part of the Imperial Collection in 1917.
Acquired in Russia around 1920/30 and brought to Sweden.
Thence by descent in the family.

Literature

The catalogue of the Grand Duke Alexsander Alexsandrovich (1872) is included in a publication from 2002, This publication consists of numerous archival documents, and the original catalogue from 1872 is also in the book, while the original is in the State Archive of Russian Federation (GARF).

Великий князь Александр Александрович: Сборник документов / Редкол.: Г. И. Вздорнов, А. Д. Зайцев, Н. С. Михалков, А. Л. Налепин (гл. ред.), Т. Е. Павлова, П. В. Палиевский, Т. В. Померанская, В. В. Шибаева. — М.: Рос. фонд культуры: Студия «ТРИТЭ»: Рос. Архив: Рос. гос. ист. архив, 2002. — 720 с. — (Рос. архив).

More information

This painting by Bogoljuboff depicts a scene on the Volga tributary Don. On the banks, fires are lit and a large number of people are gathered, probably 'burlaks' - labourers from the local population. During the summer months, these men and women earned their living by helping the crewmen with boats run aground or by pulling passenger and cargo ships against the tide This was a common sight and by the early 19th century there were 600 000 'burlaks' working on the Volga and other rivers in Russia. In the background on the left is a type of wheeled steamer used to transport goods on the rivers of Russia in the 19th century. This type of boat was best suited for low water periods that occurred on the Volga in the summer. With the introduction of steamboats in the mid-19th century, the 'burlaks' lost their source of income and their existence dwindled, eventually almost disappearing by the beginning of the 20th century.

The scene is a dramatic nocturnal view where smoke from the fires drifts in black streaks across the sky. The moonlight filters down and is reflected in the river, which is bustling with activity despite the lateness of the hour. A charming detail is the little ship's dog standing at the bow of the sloop, which is moving across the foreground rowed by a dozen uniformed oarsmen.

The painting is one of many works by Bogoljuboff included in the Russian imperial collections of Tsar Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna. Bukowskis has previously sold "Riverboats on the Don" which was also part of the imperial collections.

Alexander Alexandrovich, the future Alexander III, was a great art collector. He married Princess Dagmar of Denmark, Maria Feodorovna, in 1866. The royal couple moved into the Anichkov Palace, where the growing art collection was housed. The artist Bogoljuboff, a close friend and advisor to Alexander Alexandrovich, was responsible for acquiring new works for the growing collection.
Alexander III often travelled in Russia and abroad in Europe, buying and commissioning new works of art. The imperial collection would eventually consist of over 800 works. On Bogoljuboff's initiative, an inventory of the collections was drawn up in 1872 in the Anichkov Palace in St Petersburg. From the 1870s to the 1920s the collection was housed in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo. The reverse side of the present lot is applied with a paper label of the Anichkov Palace and inscribed with abbreviation 'Ts. S.D.' for Tsarsko-Selskii Dvorets (Palace at Tsarskoe Selo), thus documenting that the present painting was exhibited consecutively in both Imperial residences.

After the 1917 revolution, all imperial property was nationalized. All items were carefully documented and labelled with inventory numbers. The imperial couple's private rooms in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo were opened as a museum to the public. Around 1930, Soviet museums were ordered to identify works that could be sold to bring foreign currency into the country. The museum in the Alexander Palace was closed and the large collection of art, furniture and personal belongings formerly owned by Tsar Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna were transferred to the Gosfond State Fund Commission for sale. The inventory number preserved on the back of the panel dates to the 1920s, when the present lot was included in the inventory for sale ('A.D.M 26114'- for Aleksandrovskii Dvorets-Muzei) and moved to State Gosfond Commission (inventory number 26/760/749).

Swedish provenance
Around 1914, Swedish commercial interest in St Petersburg was at its peak. Export companies, founded during the industrial breakthrough of the 1890s were increasingly attracted to the Russian market, including AB Separator, Asea, SKF, Alfa-Laval, AGA, Bolinders, L M Ericsson and Nobel. During this period and after the revolution it was possible to acquire furniture, art and works of art. Several items of imperial provenance were sold at auction around 1920/30 in the then Soviet Union. The painting in this auction was acquired at this time and was then shipped to Sweden and has remained in the family since then.

Artist

Alexei Petrovich Bogolyubov was a prominent Russian artist who lived during the second half of the 19th century. He was born on March 16, 1824, in St. Petersburg and was known for his landscape paintings. Bogolyubov showed an early passion for art and received his first formal education at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. He studied under distinguished artists and teachers, quickly developing his skills and a keen sense of detail. He became particularly fascinated by nature and the beauty of landscapes, which would shape his artistic works.

His early works showcased impressive technical mastery and an ability to capture the surrounding light and atmosphere. Bogolyubov traveled extensively throughout Russia and Europe, drawing inspiration from the various environments he encountered. He paid special attention to depicting the changing moods of landscapes and the subtle color variations that characterized each location.

Bogolyubov's landscape paintings were known for their romantic tone and dramatic quality. By using lively brushstrokes and a bold color palette, he succeeded in capturing the grandeur and powerful expression of nature. Many of his works displayed a sentimental attitude, portraying nature as an emotional and spiritual force.

Alexei Petrovich Bogolyubov had a significant impact on Russian art history and was a prominent representative of the Romantic school of art. His works continue to be appreciated and admired for their beauty and expressiveness.

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