Lot 28: * Sergei Kolesnikoff (Russian, 1889-1947) 'Landscape in North Mongolia'

Sergei Kolesnikoff
(Russian, 1889-1947)
'Landscape in North Mongolia' signed in Cyrillic and dated '1920' (lower left), further inscribed in Russian with title and signed (verso)oil on canvas88.5 x 88.5cm (34 13/16 x 34 13/16in).

Provenance: Acquired by Jefferson (1906-1960) and Ruth Davis (1908-2012) of New York City, late 1920-early 1930sBy descent to their niece, PaulaThence by descent in the familyExhibitedPittsburgh, Carnegie Institute, Department of Fine Arts, Twenty-Fourth Annual International Exhibition of Paintings, 15 October – 6 December 1925, no. 221LiteratureTwenty-Fourth Annual International Exhibition of Paintings, 15 October – 6 December, 1925, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, pages not numbered, listed as no. 221, lent by Russian Art ExhibitionJefferson and Ruth Davis lived in New York City from the 1930s to the early 1950s where they were part of the thriving intellectual and art scene. Their friends and acquaintances included Langston Hughes, Ollie Harrington, Sidney Poitier, Ann Petry, Abraham Hill, Ossie Davis, and others. Jefferson was a founding member of the American Negro Theater, handled the syndication of Ollie Harrington's cartoons, and the first black man licensed to sell Broadway tickets. His wife, Ruth Johnson, was a registered nurse from Atlantic City, New Jersey and was an avid theater-goer.