Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
The portrait Russian Beauty is attributed to Timofey Mikhailovich Matveev (1856–1897) and dated 1888, exemplifying the academic painting tradition of late 19th-century Russia. Trained at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, Matveev turned to the rare Russian genre of the female nude, elevating it from a classroom exercise to an independent artistic statement.
The composition is restrained: the young woman is set against a dark neutral background, emphasizing the plasticity of her body and the psychological expressiveness of her gaze. Above her head, a subtle highlight suggests an allusion to the halo familiar in Russian iconography, transforming the figure into a hymn to feminine purity. At the same time, this effect may be interpreted as Matveev’s fascination with mythology and the European tradition of depicting Venus.
The rarity of nude subjects in 19th-century Russian painting lends this work exceptional significance. The strict academic system and prevailing moral codes rarely permitted such images beyond the walls of the Academy. The present work, bearing Matveev’s signature and the date “T.M. Matveev 1888,” therefore constitutes a rare document of the period and a distinguished example of Russia’s academic school at the close of the century.
Dimensions: 46.5 × 60 cm
Medium: Oil on canvas laid on cardboard
Condition: Good condition, with light surface patina and minimal signs of age.
Provenance: Private collection
In the second half of the 19th century, the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg was the preeminent artistic institution of the Russian Empire. Its rigorous curriculum emphasized the study of the nude as the highest form of training, requiring mastery of anatomy, modelling, and chiaroscuro. Outside of academic settings, however, completed works of this genre were scarce, making them especially valuable to collectors.
Timofey Mikhailovich Matveev (1856–1897) belonged to the generation shaped by strict academic discipline yet sensitive to new European currents such as Realism and Romanticism. His surviving œuvre is scarce, and each signed and dated work is of particular importance. In Russian Beauty, Matveev combines academic draughtsmanship and modelling with psychological depth, using subdued colouring and soft transitions of light to animate the sitter with a contemplative inner life.
The luminous accent above the sitter’s head may be read either as a symbolic halo rooted in Orthodox tradition or as a reference to mythological themes, underscoring the interplay between Russian culture and European influence. In this way, the painting encapsulates the transitional moment in Russian art, balancing academic orthodoxy with a search for individual and symbolic expression.
The work is preserved in good condition; the surface is stable with an even patina and only minimal signs of wear. The original frame retains its decorative quality with slight rubbing.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
