VLADIMIR BEKHTEEV (VLADIMIR VON BECHTEJEFF) (1878-1971) Sketch for the illustration of Washington Irving’s tale ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’, 1920

inscribed in Cyrillic in pencil ‘Washington Irving’; ownership stamp of Igor Dichenko collection (on the reverse) charcoal on paper 29.1 x 24.5 cm PROVENANCE: Collection of Igor Dichenko (Ihor Dychenko) (1946-2015), Soviet and Ukrainian collector, art historian, and painter; one of the ideologists of the Ukrainian avant-garde, Kyiv. Private collection, Europe Vladimir Bekhteev (Vladimir von Bechtejeff) was a Russian painter and draftsman of Baltic German origin, active in the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century. He was a co-founder of the New Munich Artists’ Association together with Wassily Kandinsky, Alexej von Jawlensky, and Marianne von Werefkin. Closely associated with the circle of the Blue Rider, he also took part in the first exhibition of the Jack of Diamonds group and in the exhibition of the New Society of Artists. After the Russian Revolution, he settled in Germany, where his work developed under the influence of Expressionism and Symbolism. He was also active as a book illustrator: between 1936 and 1945, he created a series of illustrations for the works of Lermontov and illustrated several 19th-century foreign classics. Upon the buyer’s request, we are pleased to provide a general condition report for the Lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to conduct their own inspection or consult a specialist or restorer of their choice for a comprehensive professional assessment. Any condition descriptions provided in the catalogue or through any correspondence are for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for a firsthand evaluation. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’ IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.