Bidspirit auction | Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955)

Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955) - Daisies in a Glass Vase. Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955) | Daisies in a Glass Vase Oil on Canvas Signed: Signed lower right in his characteristic bold, red cursive: “N. Fechin”. Dimensions: Artwork: 44 × 30 cm | 17.3 × 11.8 in Provenance: Private collection, Philadelphia, USA; Private collection, Germany; Acquired from the above by the current owner. Condition: Good vintage condition; features the artist’s signature heavy impasto and “dry” paint application; stable paint layers with minor surface craquelure consistent with age; original wooden stretcher with traditional corner keys. Conditions of Sale: All lots are sold as is. See Section 4 of our Terms and Conditions for return policy. All inquiries must be made prior to bidding, as no further details can be provided after the sale. By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions in full. Shipping: Aurora & Athena does not provide in-house shipping. The successful buyer arranges shipping directly with a company of their choice. For shipments outside the EU, Spanish export tax may apply to certain higher-value artworks; no export tax applies within the EU. Any such tax is payable by the buyer. Please refer to our Shipping & Export Information page for further details. -- This radiant still life is a masterclass in the technical brilliance that made Nicolai Fechin one of the most respected painters of the 20th century. The composition features a lush bouquet of white daisies set against a moody, atmospheric background of deep teals and charcoal greys. Fechin’s approach to the floral subject is far from delicate; he utilizes a palette knife and broad, sweeping brushstrokes to build a sculptural surface. The white petals are rendered with a thick, buttery impasto that catches the light, while the centers of the flowers are punctuated with vibrant dabs of golden yellow and orange. The background is treated with a “scumbled” technique, where thin layers of paint are dragged over the canvas to create a sense of vibrating air and depth. This work captures the energy and “controlled chaos” that defined Fechin’s best work, balancing the elegance of the subject with a raw, modern intensity.