THE PURSUIT OF THE JAPANESE CAVALRY BY RUSSIANS. RUSSIAN-JAPANESE WAR. 1904

Very rare and important watercolor

SAMOKISH NIKOLAI SEMENOVICH (1860 – 1944)

One of the best Russian and Soviet battle and animal painters. In 1890, he received the title of academician. Since 1910, he was a professor and head of the battle-painting studio at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. After the revolution, he was a professor and head of the battle-painting studio at the Kharkov Art Institute.

THE PURSUIT OF THE JAPANESE CAVALRY BY RUSSIANS. RUSSIAN-JAPANESE WAR. 1904

Signed lower left
Watercolor, Indian ink, brush, pen on paper
10.3 х 17.6 cm

PROVENANCE:

The artist gave the painting to Jan Petrovich Birzgal.

Current owner acquired the painting in Riga in the early 2000s.

This impressive and important watercolor was presented by the artist to Jan Birzgal, to a significant Latvian figure and artist who played a key role in saving and preserving the cultural heritage of Crimea after the Revolution. Samokish originally visited the Crimea in 1918 to improve his health. This is where he met Birzgal, who knew about the talented artist since his studies in St. Petersburg at the Stieglitz Art Academy; he made every effort to support Samokish in his aspirations. In 1923, Birzgal left the army and occupied an important position in The People’s Commissariat for Education (Narkompros), which was dedicated to the promotion of Soviet cultural goals. Thanks to this position, he had an important role in the preservation of the cultural heritage of the place, from architecture to libraries, and its participation in the artistic life in the region was greatly increased. During his career, Birzgal was appointed director of several museums, including the Alupka Palace Museum (Vorontsov Palace) and the Simferopol Art Museum. In 1940, in honor of the 80th anniversary, Samokish was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. This event was marked by the publication of Birzgal’s book: N.S. Samokish: Life and Works. In 1949, Birzgal returned to Riga at the request of the government of the Latvian SSR, and brought with him his belongings, paintings, books and letters.

Birzgal remained in Riga until the end of his life, worked as the director of the Museum of Foreign Art.

EXPERTISE:

Nina Ivanovna Lapidus art historian, senior scientist and curator of the Russian classical paintings in the Latvian National Museum of Art (Riga), from 1969 to 1995, member of the Artists’ Union of Latvia. Author of the monography “Nikolai Samokish”, published by “Bely Gorod”, Moscow, 2006. Author of articles about the work of Nikolai Samokish “The Call of the Artist” in the Baltic military history magazine “Baltfort”, June 2012, №2 (19), pages 49 to 52; September 2012, № 3 (20), pages 54 to 62.

CONDITION REPORT:

The painting is in perfect condition.

Price on request.