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MEGYERAL
DATE
early 20th century
MEDIUM
oil on board
DIMENSIONS
59 x 48 cm (23¼ by 19 inch)
CATEGORY
portrait / nude
SIGNATURES
signed ‘V Bukovac / Praha’ in the lower middle
About the Piece...
From the collection of a renowned Zagreb art historian, comes this previously unpublicised nude from the Prague phase of Vlaho Bukovac. Acquired through the auction house Sotheby's, this atmospheric depiction of a young girl was once in the collection of the Prague politician and lawyer Bozena Pátková (Prague, 1907 - Prague, 1973). It is still unknown under which circumstances 'In the Boudoir' has entered the collection of this prominent Czechoslovak politician, who played an important role in the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party and, later, in the Czech State Council. However, the very placement of this charming nude in the context of the early 20th-century Prague collecting circles suggests it was acquired directly from Bukovac's studio.
In terms of color, composition, and painting style, this work corresponds with other works from Bukovac's rich Prague phase. Bukovac formed this simultaneously airy and intimate nude with short and daring strokes of the brush, paying special attention to the tender incarnation of the young girl who, juxtaposed in front of the dark red background fabric, appears to emanate with an inner light. The work is signed and inscribed in the lower central part "V Bukovac / Praha", thus additionally confirming the artist's authorship. The painting is framed in a finely carved faux gilt Florentine frame with open-work foliate ornaments.
Condition & Presentability...
The painting is executed in oil on board. The board is even, flat and ensures stable support. The back of the board is stamped with a mark of yet unidentified artist material manufacturer.
The painting itself is in a great state of preservation and is ready to hang. Small areas of retouching are visible in the upper left quadrant of the picture under the ultraviolet light, as well as minor retouching in the lower right corner of the painting. Some scattered brushstrokes are present at the extreme edges, to ameliorate the frame rubbing, There is no sign of retouching on the figure, aside from some minor brushstrokes in the area of the girl's left upper arm.
The accompanying documentation by Sotheby's is available for inspection upon request.
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