Vyacheslav Lenkov (Russian, b. 1942) The Face of the Politician, 1987-1993 : A Diptych Portrait of Boris Yeltsin

Description:

Vyacheslav Lenkov (Russian, b. 1942)

The Face of the Politician, 1987-1993: A Diptych Portrait of Boris Yeltsin.Boris, Son of Nicholas signed in Cyrillic and dated "1987" l.c. Oil on canvas, each part measuring approximately 32 x 26 in., both unframed. Condition: The 1993 portrait is trimmed of its tacking edges and laid on Masonite, with multiple paint losses and distressed areas, some of which appear to be by the artist's hand in support of the portrait's symbolism of decay.

Literature: Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, Against the Grain, An Autobiography, translated by Michael Glenny (New York: Summit Books, 1990),the 1987 portrait is illustrated in the first section of photographs, set between pp. 83 and 84 in the text.

N.B. In a description of the diptych, the artist explained that the first portrait, done in the form of an icon, presents Yeltsin before being elected Russian President in 1987. Titled Boris, Son of Nicholas, this painting shows the beginning of his path as a politician full of promises. The second portrait shows the transformed political face, leading to the collapse of Russia, the violation of the Constitution, and the dispersal and shooting of the Congress in 1993, described by the artist as "the apotheosis of lawlessness."

Several related documents accompany the work, including the artist's description of the iconography and a bill of transfer of the works from the artist to the current owner. Included as well is a copy of relevant pages from Yeltsin's 1990 autobiography referenced above, in which the 1987 portrait was reproduced without mention of the artist's name and with the caption, "Some fans go to extreme lengths: an icon in my honor."

The diptych is being sold to benefit the Marlborough Historical Society, Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Estimate $1,000-2,000

1993 Portrait canvas is detaching from the Masonite in the l.l. corner.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords