Nicolai Fechin Original Vintage Antique Russian American Santa Monica California Impressionist Self Portrait Taos Oil Painting on Panel
Original, vintage painting attributed to Russian-American impressionist Nicolai Fechin.
This painting, attributed to Nicolai Fechin, exemplifies his mastery in portraiture, characterized by expressive brushwork and a focus on capturing the emotional essence of the subject. The subject's face is rendered with a high degree of detail, particularly around the eyes, which convey a deep, introspective gaze. Fechin's use of light and shadow enhances the subject's features and adds a sense of depth and realism to the painting.
The brushstrokes are dynamic and textured, particularly in the background and the subject's clothing, creating a contrast with the smoother treatment of the face. This technique adds a sense of movement and vitality to the work, typical of Fechin's style. The muted, earthy color palette further emphasizes the somber and reflective mood of the portrait.
Overall, this painting showcases Fechin's ability to blend realism with impressionistic techniques, resulting in a portrait that is both lifelike and emotionally resonant.
Nicolai Fechin (Nikolai Ivanovich Feshin; Russian: Николай Иванович Фешин; November 26, 1881 – October 5, 1955) was a renowned Russian-American painter celebrated for his portraits and works featuring Native Americans. His artistic journey began in Kazan, Russia, and took him to New York and Taos, New Mexico, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy in the art world.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kazan, Russia, in 1881, Nicolai Fechin almost succumbed to meningitis in his early childhood. His father, a woodcarver and gilder, taught him the craft, and by age eleven, Fechin was creating designs for altars. At thirteen, he enrolled in the Kazan Art School, a branch of the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.
Fechin's exceptional work earned him admission to the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he studied under Ilya Repin and Filipp Malyavin. A pivotal trip to Siberia in 1904 deeply influenced his artistic perspective, inspiring him to capture the rural people and landscapes of the region.
In 1909, Fechin graduated with the highest honors, receiving the Prix de Rome, which allowed him to study in Europe's artistic capitals. His work gained international recognition, and in 1910, he exhibited at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Teaching and Career in Russia
Upon returning to Kazan, Fechin resumed teaching and became a popular instructor. He co-founded the Commune of Artists in 1910 and exhibited with the Itinerants and the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia. He also designed sets for the theater.
In 1913, Fechin married Alexandra Belkovitch, and they had a daughter, Eya. Despite the social upheaval following the Russian Revolution, Fechin's career flourished until he emigrated to the United States in 1923 due to the hardships in Russia.
Life in the United States
Settling in New York, Fechin quickly gained recognition for his powerful portraits. His patrons, including W.S. Stimmel and John Burnham, helped him establish a successful career in America. He taught at the New York Academy of Art and won numerous awards, including the first prize at the National Academy of Design in 1924.
Move to the Southwest
Fechin developed tuberculosis and moved to Taos, New Mexico, in 1927 for its drier climate. The Taos mountains reminded him of Siberia, and he became deeply inspired by the Native American culture and landscape. He renovated an adobe house in Taos, incorporating Russian and Native American elements. This house, now the Taos Art Museum, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Later Years and Legacy
After divorcing Alexandra in 1933, Fechin traveled extensively before settling in Southern California. He continued to teach, paint, and sculpt until he died in 1955 in Santa Monica. His remains were reinterred in Kazan in 1976.
Fechin's work is housed in prestigious institutions, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. His former home in Taos is a museum dedicated to his legacy, and his art continues to be celebrated worldwide.
In 1981, his daughter Eya founded the Fechin Institute in Taos in his honor. Fechin's influence endures through his vivid portraits and the enduring admiration of art enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Legacy and Honors
Nicolai Fechin's impact on the art world is preserved through significant collections in various prestigious institutions, such as the Stark Museum of Art, Frye Art Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Gallery of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. His works are also part of university collections and private hands, reflecting his widespread acclaim.
His former home in Taos transformed into the Taos Art Museum, serves as a testament to his artistic genius. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it showcases Fechin's unique blend of Russian and Native American artistry. The Fechin Center in Kazan, Russia, holds the largest collection of his works.
Fechin's life and work have been the subjects of several texts, including Mary Balcomb's "Nicolai Fechin," Galina P. Tuluzakova's "Nicolai Fechin: The Art and the Life," and Eya Fechin's "Fechin: The Builder." These publications, along with others, contribute to the ongoing appreciation and study of his contributions to art
Fechin's legacy continues through the institutions and publications dedicated to his work, ensuring that his artistic achievements and influence endure for future generations.
Nicolai Fechin
(1881-1955)
Russian American Impressionist
Modern art, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Taos School
Self Portrait
Oil on Wood Panel
It is estimated to have been created in approximately 1950
The painting measures approximately 6.5" X 10.25"
Signed lightly, upper right and lower left.
Stamped verso/oval stamp "Napoli", with other unidentified wording, above, within the stamp
Stamped by wooden panel maker, verso, "A. Ebeseder, Wien, L. Opernring 9." (Vienna, Austria painting supply company, founded in 1879, that remains in business, to this day) Ref: https://ebeseder.at/shop/
**Nicolai Fechin was a Fellow of the Imperial Academy of Arts in Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Verona, Venice, Milan, Padua, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Paris, (1910). When traveling through Europe, also stayed/painted in Austria, before making his home in Santa Monica, California.
The painting is in good overall condition. There is a long line/crack through the middle, where the board has expanded over the years. There has been minimal restoration, just on the crack, as shown, but it may need more restoration depending on the preference of the buyer. There have been no other in-painting/restorations. Please review all images.
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