Bidspirit auction | Ilya Repin (1844–1930) Cossacks of Zaporozhian

Ilya Repin (1844–1930) Cossacks of Zaporozhian Writing a Letter to the Turkish Sultan - Oil on Canvas Dimensions without frame: 122 × 79 cm Dimensions with frame: 142 × 99 cm Provenance: Estate of the Zaltzberg Family, 1912–2002, Jerusalem. Received directly from the painter Ilya Repin during his visit to Israel in 1898 as a pilgrim, according to written records. He met with a priest in Jerusalem at the Church of Alexander Nevsky and gifted the painting to the head priest of that time. The painting remained in the priest's quarters until 1946. Repin donated two paintings to the church in Jerusalem. One of them is well known and is currently in the collection of the Russian Museum, titled Jesus on the Cross. This artwork was also given to the priest as a declaration of Repin’s love for the church and for Jerusalem itself. Later, the clergy changed, and the new priest inherited the painting from his predecessor. He eventually gave it to Mr. Dov Zaltzberg, a friend and benefactor who supported the priest and his students with clothing and food. Zaltzberg was known for his generosity and willingness to help anyone in need. The priest and Mr. Zaltzberg met in Jerusalem. Mr. Zaltzberg was the owner of a clothing store in the Sarsour complex in Jerusalem and had a deep appreciation for antiques and Judaica. Between 1931 and 1946, he and the head priest of the church developed a friendship. The priest would visit the market daily to buy necessities for himself and the church, and through these regular encounters, a friendship was formed. In 1946, during the tensions leading up to the War of Independence in 1948, the priest asked Mr. Zaltzberg to safeguard the painting to protect it from damage due to fires caused by Arab attacks on synagogues and churches in Jerusalem. Mr. Zaltzberg agreed, gave the priest money, and said: ”Take this money and keep it. When you wish to retrieve the painting, return the money to me and I will give you the painting. If you do not return, the money is yours, but the painting remains mine.” That year, the priest disappeared, the money was not returned, and Mr. Zaltzberg kept the painting. He never heard from the priest again. The priest's name was Alexei Fyodorovich Kruglov, and he lived in the church with his family from 1920 to 1948. Notes: Accompanied by a condition report by Ghiora Elon, dated 12/05/2025, available upon request. Condition: For a detailed condition report, please email info@hammersite.com.