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Description: signed and dated M. Larionov (lower left); also indistinctly signed with initials M.L. (lower right); also inscribed in Cyrillic and dated Odec 1900 (lower right)

oil on canvas

RUSSIAN, 1881-1964

RECLINING NUDE

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Dimensions: 38 1/8 by 28 3/4 in.

97 by 73 cm

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Published: George Waldemar, Larionov, Paris, Bibliothèque des arts, 1966, p. 17, illustrated as Nu Couché

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Notes: Reclining Nude by Larionov is a well-known painting with an established history since it was reproduced in colour by Waldemar George in his monograph Michel Larionov (Paris: Bibliothèque des Arts, 1966, p. 17). The painting was executed during Larionov's years in Russia, before he moved to Western Europe in 1915 where he worked principally for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. It is unlikely however that the work was executed in 1900 as indicated in the inscription. Larionov frequently predated his canvasses later in life and this work would appear to have been executed in the period 1907-1908. At this time Larionov was in the process of moving away from Impressionism and towards Fauvism. In this transitional period, however, he was close to the Russian group of painters known as The Blue Rose and became interested in the gentle symbolism of the French artists such as the Nabis. This explains the intimate tone of the painting and the muted palette of blues, greys and browns. The painting is an excellent example of its kind and will be reproduced in the catalogue raisonné of the artist's work, which is currently being researched.

We would like to thank Dr. Anthony Parton, University of Durham, for kindly providing this catalogue note. Dr. Parton wrote the critical monograph Michael Larionov and the Russian Avant-Garde, Princeton University Press, 1993.