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Lot Essay
From his earliest days as a young student in Russia, Nicolai Fechin was captivated by portrait painting. The widely varying faces of the people he encountered over the course of his career, from across the globe, were often selected on the basis of their vitality and the character they emanated. Fechin was never content with merely capturing a likeness on canvas, but rather strove to portray the spirit of each sitter, whether a Russian peasant, a Balinese dancer, Native American adolescent or prominent member of society.
Speaking of the present work, the artist’s daughter, Eya Fechin Branham, states; “I remember the oil portrait of Muriel Williams. We met the family in California and then later stopped to see them in Arizona in their little house there long before Tempe and Phoenix became so much of a city.” (Unpublished letter, November 4th, 1985) In the present work, Fechin skillfully captures the seemingly mischievous personality of his young sitter in a characteristically robust, painterly style of execution and an aggressive yet elegant balance of color, line and form, resulting an elaborate yet harmonious painting.
Speaking of the present work, the artist’s daughter, Eya Fechin Branham, states; “I remember the oil portrait of Muriel Williams. We met the family in California and then later stopped to see them in Arizona in their little house there long before Tempe and Phoenix became so much of a city.” (Unpublished letter, November 4th, 1985) In the present work, Fechin skillfully captures the seemingly mischievous personality of his young sitter in a characteristically robust, painterly style of execution and an aggressive yet elegant balance of color, line and form, resulting an elaborate yet harmonious painting.