.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Ivan Obolensky (1925-2019) was born in London to Prince Sergei Obolensky-Neledinsky-Meletzky (1809-1978), and Ava Alice Muriel Astor (1902-1956). Ivan’s father, known as Serge Obolensky, born in 1890 on his family estate at Tsarskoe Selo, was the eldest son of Prince Platon Sergeevich Obolensky-Neledinsky-Meletzky (1850-1913), a man with a distinguished military record who at one time served as aide-de-camp to Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909), and Maria Konstantinova Naryshkina (1861-1929), of the noted boyar family whose members played key roles in the Imperial court for centuries. Ivan’s mother, known as Alice, was the daughter of John Jacob Astor IV (1864-1912), scion of the renowned Astor family and powerful financier who perished on the Titanic, and Ava Lowle Willing (1868-1958), a member of the prominent American family that had laid some of the earliest foundations for business and commercial growth in the Northeastern United States.
In 1912 Serge Obolensky left for London and completed his studies at Christ Church, Oxford University, in political economy and local government. Upon his return to Russia, his intent was to manage one of his father's estates, in Nizhny Novgorod. Having already observed a rapidly changing political landscape in Russia, by 1914, Serge Obolensky became engaged in military activities, which began with his enrolment in the Chevalier Guards. Active in battles during WWI, he received the Cross of St. George for his bravery, an honour bestowed on him three times.
The outbreak of the October Revolution in 1917 led to the disbandment of the Chevalier Guards, among other radical shifts in its wake. Amid various upheavals during this time, Serge Obolensky married Princess Ekaterina (Catherine) Aleksandrovna Yurievskaia (1878-1959). Together they left for Yalta, which had still been relatively distant from the disruptions taking place elsewhere in Russia. At a reception held by Princess Olga Orlova (1874-1923), Serge Obolensky would first meet and befriend Savelii Sorin (1878-1953). The artist, captivated by the young officer's striking features, would then embark on creating several portraits of Obolensky.
As tensions began to rise in Crimea, Serge Obolensky, together with other officers of the Imperial guard formed regiments to attack the Bolshevik troops, with Obolensky in charge of the Tartar militia. As he recalled in his memoirs, the conflict was such that Sorin's first portrait of him landed in a meeting Hall in Yalta with an inscription beneath that read; "Serge Obolensky / Wanted / Dead or Alive" (S. Obolensky, One Man in His Time, New York, 1958, p. 181). The artist, through various means, was able to retrieve the work, and eventually returned it to Obolensky. As fighting continued and dangers increased with great intensity, Serge and Catherine managed, after surviving many obstacles, which involved living in disguise for months, to escape to Switzerland, and then eventually settle in England in 1919. In London, the couple began to drift apart, and eventually ended their marriage amicably. During this time, Serge Obolensky formed new relationships within London society, such as the Australian-born Sheila Chisholm (1895-1969) and her then-husband, Francis St Clair-Erskine, Lord Loughborough (1892-1929), that in 1920 would lead to a two-year excursion and business venture in Australia. Deciding to return to London in 1922, Serge Obolensky first travelled to Rome to visit his mother, who had settled there after fleeing the Revolution. Through a mutual acquaintance there, he met the American heiress Millicent Rogers (1902-1953), with whom he would be briefly engaged. Upon his return to London in 1922 he shared an apartment with Prince Felix Yusupov (1887-1967). It was during this time that Serge met Alice Astor, who made a striking impression on him with her unique beauty, intelligence and mystery. Recalling his first encounter with her on a golf course, Serge wrote, “Alice was better than all of us. She was twenty, brilliantly educated, and had the darkest hair I’d ever seen-she looked like an Egyptian high priestess as it swirled about her shoulders in blue-black folds” (S. Obolensky, One Man in His Time, New York, 1958, p. 268). They married in 1924 and shared a decade in a prosperous marriage. In his memoirs, Serge Obolensky further recalled a visit from Savelii Sorin following his wedding; "He said he wanted to see how I looked when I was happy" (S. Obolensky, One Man in His Time, New York, 1958, p. 277).
The portrait in the present collection by Savelii Sorin, executed in 1927, expresses this period of fleeting bliss. Serge Obolensky is portrayed with his inherent grace and elegance, steadily looking out to the viewer with an air of calm, which, presently removed from the conflicts of war and revolution, represents the promise of a new marriage, a new life and progeny, with the recent birth of Ivan.
As heir to two outstanding families with remarkable histories, Ivan Obolensky continued their legacies, and left an indelible mark of his own.
Military training and service were particularly emphasised in the Obolensky family. Among the outstanding figures in the family history was Field Marshal Alexander Suvorov (1729-1800). Ivan Obolensky continued this family tradition during World War II in the United States Navy as a pilot, serving alongside his father Serge, who at the time was Lieutenant-Colonel with the U.S. paratroopers as well as a member of the Office of Strategic Services. Serge's heroism during the war led to further significant recognitions by the U.S. Government.
Years later, in New York, Serge Obolensky became a hotel business legend. Alice's brother Vincent Astor (1891-1959) engaged Obolensky to manage the public relations and operations of renowned New York hotels such as the St Regis, the Plaza, the Sherry-Netherland, the Ambassador and the Astor, institutions that benefited immensely both from his business acumen and from his famed charismatic flair.
Ivan Obolensky graduated from Yale in 1947 and began his career as a writer. His successful novel, Rogue’s March, was published with Random House in 1956. He subsequently founded a publishing firm based in New York; McDowell, Obolensky, Inc., which published several award-winning novels, such as James Agee's Pulitzer Prize novel, A Death in the Family, and Patton, among other books, including his father's memoirs.
After a successful career in publishing, Ivan Obolensky moved to investment banking, managing numerous accounts. He was a benefactor and champion of many causes in the United States, including the Musicians Emergency Fund, the Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation, the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club, and New York's International Debutante Ball. He was also Treasurer of the Russian Nobility Association in America, Inc., and the US Prior of the Orthodox Order of St. John of Jerusalem. An ardent Freemason, he was a Mason of the 33rd Degree, and, continuing the tradition initiated by his ancestor John Jacob Astor (1763-1848), he was Past Master of the Holland Lodge No. 8, one of the oldest lodges in the United States.
The exceptional works in this collection are a testament to Ivan Obolensky's great admiration of art and history. Treasured works, they are appearing at auction for the first time in over eighty years, which Christie's is honoured to present in his memory.
In 1912 Serge Obolensky left for London and completed his studies at Christ Church, Oxford University, in political economy and local government. Upon his return to Russia, his intent was to manage one of his father's estates, in Nizhny Novgorod. Having already observed a rapidly changing political landscape in Russia, by 1914, Serge Obolensky became engaged in military activities, which began with his enrolment in the Chevalier Guards. Active in battles during WWI, he received the Cross of St. George for his bravery, an honour bestowed on him three times.
The outbreak of the October Revolution in 1917 led to the disbandment of the Chevalier Guards, among other radical shifts in its wake. Amid various upheavals during this time, Serge Obolensky married Princess Ekaterina (Catherine) Aleksandrovna Yurievskaia (1878-1959). Together they left for Yalta, which had still been relatively distant from the disruptions taking place elsewhere in Russia. At a reception held by Princess Olga Orlova (1874-1923), Serge Obolensky would first meet and befriend Savelii Sorin (1878-1953). The artist, captivated by the young officer's striking features, would then embark on creating several portraits of Obolensky.
As tensions began to rise in Crimea, Serge Obolensky, together with other officers of the Imperial guard formed regiments to attack the Bolshevik troops, with Obolensky in charge of the Tartar militia. As he recalled in his memoirs, the conflict was such that Sorin's first portrait of him landed in a meeting Hall in Yalta with an inscription beneath that read; "Serge Obolensky / Wanted / Dead or Alive" (S. Obolensky, One Man in His Time, New York, 1958, p. 181). The artist, through various means, was able to retrieve the work, and eventually returned it to Obolensky. As fighting continued and dangers increased with great intensity, Serge and Catherine managed, after surviving many obstacles, which involved living in disguise for months, to escape to Switzerland, and then eventually settle in England in 1919. In London, the couple began to drift apart, and eventually ended their marriage amicably. During this time, Serge Obolensky formed new relationships within London society, such as the Australian-born Sheila Chisholm (1895-1969) and her then-husband, Francis St Clair-Erskine, Lord Loughborough (1892-1929), that in 1920 would lead to a two-year excursion and business venture in Australia. Deciding to return to London in 1922, Serge Obolensky first travelled to Rome to visit his mother, who had settled there after fleeing the Revolution. Through a mutual acquaintance there, he met the American heiress Millicent Rogers (1902-1953), with whom he would be briefly engaged. Upon his return to London in 1922 he shared an apartment with Prince Felix Yusupov (1887-1967). It was during this time that Serge met Alice Astor, who made a striking impression on him with her unique beauty, intelligence and mystery. Recalling his first encounter with her on a golf course, Serge wrote, “Alice was better than all of us. She was twenty, brilliantly educated, and had the darkest hair I’d ever seen-she looked like an Egyptian high priestess as it swirled about her shoulders in blue-black folds” (S. Obolensky, One Man in His Time, New York, 1958, p. 268). They married in 1924 and shared a decade in a prosperous marriage. In his memoirs, Serge Obolensky further recalled a visit from Savelii Sorin following his wedding; "He said he wanted to see how I looked when I was happy" (S. Obolensky, One Man in His Time, New York, 1958, p. 277).
The portrait in the present collection by Savelii Sorin, executed in 1927, expresses this period of fleeting bliss. Serge Obolensky is portrayed with his inherent grace and elegance, steadily looking out to the viewer with an air of calm, which, presently removed from the conflicts of war and revolution, represents the promise of a new marriage, a new life and progeny, with the recent birth of Ivan.
As heir to two outstanding families with remarkable histories, Ivan Obolensky continued their legacies, and left an indelible mark of his own.
Military training and service were particularly emphasised in the Obolensky family. Among the outstanding figures in the family history was Field Marshal Alexander Suvorov (1729-1800). Ivan Obolensky continued this family tradition during World War II in the United States Navy as a pilot, serving alongside his father Serge, who at the time was Lieutenant-Colonel with the U.S. paratroopers as well as a member of the Office of Strategic Services. Serge's heroism during the war led to further significant recognitions by the U.S. Government.
Years later, in New York, Serge Obolensky became a hotel business legend. Alice's brother Vincent Astor (1891-1959) engaged Obolensky to manage the public relations and operations of renowned New York hotels such as the St Regis, the Plaza, the Sherry-Netherland, the Ambassador and the Astor, institutions that benefited immensely both from his business acumen and from his famed charismatic flair.
Ivan Obolensky graduated from Yale in 1947 and began his career as a writer. His successful novel, Rogue’s March, was published with Random House in 1956. He subsequently founded a publishing firm based in New York; McDowell, Obolensky, Inc., which published several award-winning novels, such as James Agee's Pulitzer Prize novel, A Death in the Family, and Patton, among other books, including his father's memoirs.
After a successful career in publishing, Ivan Obolensky moved to investment banking, managing numerous accounts. He was a benefactor and champion of many causes in the United States, including the Musicians Emergency Fund, the Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation, the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club, and New York's International Debutante Ball. He was also Treasurer of the Russian Nobility Association in America, Inc., and the US Prior of the Orthodox Order of St. John of Jerusalem. An ardent Freemason, he was a Mason of the 33rd Degree, and, continuing the tradition initiated by his ancestor John Jacob Astor (1763-1848), he was Past Master of the Holland Lodge No. 8, one of the oldest lodges in the United States.
The exceptional works in this collection are a testament to Ivan Obolensky's great admiration of art and history. Treasured works, they are appearing at auction for the first time in over eighty years, which Christie's is honoured to present in his memory.