Lot 0020
Russian portrait of Stephan Dmitrievitch Erzia
Estimate: 20000-30000€

An Extremely Rare Russian self-portrait bronze bust of Stephan Dmitrievitch Erzia (Nefedov) (1876-1959) named “Toska” (melancholy). This bust is considered a prominent early artwork by Erzia. Stepan Erzia graduated from Moscow College of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. His teachers were S. Ivanov, Kasatkine, Pasternak, Volnuhine. In 1906 Erzia moved to Italy with his friend and colleague Daniello Tinelli. A few months later he spent all his money and had to apply for a factory job. On getting his first paycheck, Erzia bought some clay and made a clay head which He later called “Toska” (exhibited in Nice Museum, a bronze copy also belongs to Russian State museum in Saint-Petersburg). This self-portrait shows Stepan Erzia as a tired and hungry master. The work became a turning point for his future international fame. Dimensions: 29 x 26 x 13 cm. See Erzia’s similar bronze works: Sotheby’s, 01 Dec 2015 London, United Kingdom Russian Pictures Lot number 115 Female Bust, 1915 Sold 50000 GBP и Sotheby’s, 02 Jun 2015 London, United Kingdom Russian Pictures Lot number 76 Head of a Girl 28000 GBP.

Starting price: 18000€
Estimate: 20000-30000€

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