NUDE RECLINING WOMAN, RUSSIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
AntiqonART consultant will contact you within one business day after receiving your request.
×
Create account and receive
15% DISCOUNT
your first acquisition
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.
An oval oil painting on cardboard, executed in the style of Russian Art Nouveau and the “World of Art” circle. The composition features a nude woman reclining in a relaxed pose on a bed, holding a book, her head resting on a pink pillow. The setting, with its delicate drapery, carved headboard, and silver tea service, evokes the refined domestic interiors of the Rococo era. The brushwork is soft and pastose, emphasizing the sensuality of the figure and the decorative richness of the surroundings. In the lower right corner appears the signature “K. Somov” and the date “1897.” The painting is presented in a gilt oval frame with a light blue museum-quality mat. On the reverse is an old collector’s label inscribed in ink: “K. Somov, 1869–1939,” framed by a decorative blue border.
Dimensions: Painting: 30 × 37 cm. Frame: approximately 50 × 60 cm
Material: Oil on cardboard
Condition: Good condition. The surface is clean, and the paint layer is stable. Minor signs of age on the reverse and frame.
Provenance: Private European collection. Contents of a 19th-century Baltic villa
This work was created by an unknown artist influenced by the legacy of Konstantin Andreyevich Somov (1869–1939), a master of Russian Art Nouveau and Symbolism, and one of the founding members of the “World of Art” movement. Somov’s oeuvre is known for its refined eroticism, elegant staging, and nostalgic references to 18th-century France and Rococo culture.
The presented painting demonstrates key traits of Somov’s style: intimacy, sensual modeling, and decorative complexity. The composition balances the corporeality of the nude figure with the poetic atmosphere of a private, aristocratic interior. Every element — from fabric to furniture — supports the narrative of beauty, leisure, and inner contemplation.
Such works, executed in the Somov tradition, were especially appreciated by European collectors during the early 20th century, amid growing interest in Russian modernism. Today, they are valued as both artistic and cultural-historical testimonies to the spread of the “World of Art” aesthetic beyond Russia.
Excellent presentation. The painting is clean and intact. Minor signs of age on the frame and reverse. Museum-level framing.
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.
