79. Still Life with Apples and Blue Teapot [1930s]

Nikola Tanev is one of the most significant landscape painters from the first half of the 20th century. He studied (1908-1912) at the Academy of Decorative Arts in Paris under professors Paul Renoir and Manzhan, and he attended the École des Beaux-Arts and the Grande Chaumière. In 1910, he visited Claude Monet's studio in Giverny. He returned to Bulgaria in 1912 and the same year he set up his first solo exhibition in the Trapkova gallery. Almost every year, Nikola Tanev presents his exhibition, sometimes more than one (a total of 55, of which 27 are abroad). He participates in all exhibitions of the "Native Art" society, of which he is a member, in all UHI and international exhibitions of Bulgarian artists. The beauty of the Bulgarian Revival town comes alive in Nikola Tanev's Karlovo yards. Still life is also present in his work, albeit much less often. In "Still Life with Apples and Blue Teapot" Nikola Tanev applies all the principles of work that he applies in the famous Karlovo yards - bright sunlight, classical light-shadow construction of the forms - warm lit fields and cold shadows. The composition is clear and strongly influenced by Cézanne's still lifes. On a white tablecloth are a dish with orange apples, a blue teapot, and a black cylindrical vase or pot with green plants. The background is constructed in Indian yellow and ochre. The painting is characteristic of the artist's style in the 1930s when he created some of the highest achievements in his work. (S.N.)

References

Nikola Tanev. Memories 1919-1944. Sofia, 1983, 55-56

Dimensions

width 74 cm, height 60.5 cm

Description

oil paints on canvas, signed at the bottom right, in purple, "Nic. Taneff"

Dating

1930s

PROVENANCE

Purchased from the artist's son around 2000.

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