Bidspirit auction | Mikhail Petrovich Vakurov (1890–1942)

Mikhail Petrovich Vakurov (1890–1942) - Drawing ”Cherry Harvest”. USSR, Palekh, 1933. Paper, graphite pencil. 14 by 9 cm. Condition Report: Condition consistent with the age of the work. The sheet shows natural aging, including paper toning, minor surface wear, light soiling, and small losses along the edges. The drawing itself remains clear and well preserved. Provenance From the family collection of the Golikov–Vakurov artistic dynasty. Preserved in the family archive of the artist. This rare early drawing by Mikhail Petrovich Vakurov, dated August 5, 1933, is an important example of intimate Palekh graphic art from the pre-war period. The composition depicts a peaceful rural harvesting scene, with figures gathering cherries in a garden landscape. Vakurov constructs the multi-figure arrangement with remarkable ease, combining observational detail with decorative rhythm and lyrical simplicity. Despite its modest dimensions, the drawing demonstrates refined draftsmanship and a sophisticated sense of compositional balance. The landscape is rendered in a poetic and stylized manner: trees, architectural silhouettes, and human figures merge into a unified decorative space closely connected to the visual language of early Palekh miniature painting. Particularly important is the precise date of execution (5 August 1933) placing the work within one of the earliest and rarest phases of the artist’s career. Works on paper from this period seldom appear on the market and hold substantial historical and artistic significance for the study of twentieth-century Palekh art. The drawing possesses a distinctly museum-quality character and is valuable not only as an autonomous work of graphic art, but also as a historical document reflecting the artistic environment of Palekh during the first half of the twentieth century. Collecting & Investment Potential Works by Mikhail Vakurov are considered rare and highly desirable examples of early twentieth-century Palekh art. Works of this type are of considerable interest to collectors of Palekh art, early twentieth-century graphic works, and museum collections focused on decorative and miniature painting. Cherry Harvest is a rare and poetic work in which Vakurov’s refined draftsmanship, decorative sensibility, and lyrical interpretation of rural life are especially evident.