Bidspirit auction | KARL PAVLOVICH BRIULLOV (1799-1852), PORTRAIT

KARL PAVLOVICH BRIULLOV (1799-1852), PORTRAIT OF COUNT MATVEI YURYEVICH VIELGORSKY, 1838 - This finely executed portrait depicts Count Matvei Yuryevich Vielgorsky (1794-1866), one of the most prominent figures of Russian cultural life during the first half of the nineteenth century. A distinguished patron of the arts, musician, and member of the celebrated Vielgorsky family, the sitter was closely associated with many of the leading literary and artistic personalities of Imperial Russia, including Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Glinka, and Karl Briullov himself. The sitter is shown in a restrained bust-length composition against a dark neutral background. Dressed in formal black attire with a high open collar, black cravat, waistcoat, and white shirt secured with a gold pin, Vielgorsky is portrayed with characteristic dignity and introspection. The artist's treatment of the face emphasizes psychological depth rather than outward display. The direct gaze, subtle modeling of the features, and carefully balanced palette reflect the mature portrait style that established Briullov among the foremost painters of nineteenth-century Europe. The painting is accompanied by a scan of the expert opinion issued by the State Scientific Research Institute of Restoration (Государственный Научно-Исследовательский Институт Реставрации, ГосНИИР), Moscow, dated December 15, 1995, signed by the noted artist-restorer and expert N. Yu. Sharkov. The report identifies the work as ”Портрет М. Ю. Виельгорского” by Karl Pavlovich Briullov and records the presence of the signature and date ”C. Brulloff. 1838.” in red pigment at the lower left. According to the report, technical examination, ultraviolet and infrared analysis, and stylistic study supported the attribution. The expert specifically noted that the technical characteristics of the canvas, ground, paint layer, craquelure pattern, and method of execution correspond to materials and techniques employed during the first half of the nineteenth century. The report further states that the portrait's painterly methods, treatment of costume details, handling of the hair, and psychological characterization are consistent with Russian portrait painting of the second quarter of the nineteenth century and may be associated with the artistic practice of Karl Briullov. Of particular importance is the painting's documented provenance. The reverse bears a handwritten exhibition label reading: ”От влад. Черкеса Д. Я. Брюллов. На выставку” (”From the collection of D. Ya. Cherkes. Briullov. For exhibition”), as well as a fragmentary printed museum label bearing the inscription ”ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННЫЙ МУЗЕЙ БССР” (”Art Museum of the BSSR”). These labels correspond with the recorded history of the work and indicate that the painting was lent from the collection of the noted Soviet artist and collector Daniil Yakovlevich Cherkes (1899-1971) for exhibition at the State Art Museum of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, today the National Art Museum of Belarus. According to the present owner, the portrait was acquired from the heirs of D. Ya. Cherkes in Moscow during the 1970s, together with other important works by major Russian artists. The Cherkes collection was known for containing significant nineteenth-century Russian paintings, several of which later entered the collections of major institutions, including the State Tretyakov Gallery. Provenance: Collection of Daniil Yakovlevich Cherkes (1899-1971), Moscow. Exhibited by repute at the State Art Museum of the BSSR, Minsk. Acquired from the heirs of D. Ya. Cherkes, Moscow, 1970s. Private collection. Literature: Accompanied by a scan of the original Certificate of Authenticity and expert opinion issued by the State Scientific Research Institute of Restoration (GosNIIR), Moscow, December 15, 1995, signed by N. Yu. Sharkov. Dimensions: 28 1/2 x 23 1/4 in., (72.4 x 59.1 cm.) Conditions: The canvas has been professionally relined. Examination of the reverse confirms an old lining treatment noted in the GosNIIR report. The paint surface is stable with scattered minor retouching and age-related craquelure. The signature remains visible in the lower left corner beneath an aged varnish layer. The painting presents well and is housed in a period giltwood frame. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions offers in-house shipping. In case we can not accommodate a shipping request, a list of additional shippers will be provided. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions offers in-house shipping. In case we can not accommodate a shipping request, a list of additional shippers will be provided.