PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST’S DAUGHTER ANNA WITH A FLOWER

SOKOLOV ALEXANDER PETROVICH (1829-1913)

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST’S DAUGHTER ANNA WITH A FLOWER. 1884

In terms of Sokolov’s style and skill, this painting is one of his best works. Delicately executed appearance of the girl is distinguishable by its beauty and warmth.

Signed and dated lower left: А. Соколовъ 84.
Cardboard, lead pencil, watercolors, whiting
34.8 x 26.6 cm

CONDITION REPORT:

The painting is in excellent condition.

PROVENANCE:
Collection of Boris Nikolaevich Okunev (1897-1961)
Famous scientist, theoretical mechanics and ballistics expert, professor at the Baltic State Technical University Voenmeh D. F. Ustinov. Boris Nikolaevich Okunev was a passionate art collector. He was the owner of one of the best art collections in Soviet Union. The collection was inherited by K. Borisovna Okuneva.

EXPERTISE:
P. M. Tretyakov independent art research & expertise, expert conclusion ОГ 12202, № 7739-35, from 24 September 2018.

EXHIBITED:

• First watercolor exhibition at the Moscow Society of Art Lovers, 1886, Moscow, Malaya Dmitrovka, V. Shilovsky Street, V.Shilovsky house.  № 128 in exhibition catalogue.
• Exhibition of Russian drawings and watercolors from private collections from 18th to the beginning of 20th century, 1964. Scientific-research Museum of the USSR Art Academy,  (information from the label on the back of the cardboard).
• Exhibition of Russian drawings and watercolors at the Jean-Luc Baroni gallery, 1-22 June 2011, Duke Street, St. James, London, England, exhibition curator Ivan Samarin.

ILLUSTRATED:

• The book Portrait. Russian art. Great collection., published by Bely gorod, Moscow, 2004. № 1423, pg 490. Description on page 484.
• The book 1000 Russian artists. Great collection., published by Bely gorod, Moscow 2006, pg 237. Description on page 1032.
• Exhibition catalogue Russian drawings and watercolors, 1-22 June 2011, Duke Street, St. James, London, England, № 52, pgs 28 and 29.
• The book Watercolor portrait, published by Bely gorod, Moscow, 2013, pg 248.

From the life of the portrayed girl:

On June 1, 1887, the day of the silver wedding of Anna’s parents, she got engaged to young architect, Alexander Bruni. They got married four months later at the Church of the Imperial Academy of Arts. At the celebration a toast was given, it was said that the pair will most likely have talented children who will carry the genes of Sokolovs, Bullovs and Brunis. The pair united two art clans: Anna was a granddaughter of Peter Fedorovich Sokolov and grand-niece of Carl Petrovich Briullov; and Alexander was the son of the famous architect Alexander Konstantinovich Bruni and the grandson of the art academician Fedor Antonovich Bruni. Anna Alexandrovna and Alexander Alexandrovich had five children. Two of their children, Lev and Nikolai Bruni, became famous artists.

From the book of Andrei Sarabianov Life of the artist Lev Bruni, pg 11.
The e-book of Andrei Sarabianov Life of the artist Lev Bruni can be downloaded at http://www.bruni-sarabyanov.ru