{"product_id":"football-by-feodor-ivanovich-zakharov","title":"Football by Feodor Ivanovich Zakharov","description":"Feodor Ivanovich Zakharov\u003cbr\u003e 1882-1967 | Russian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFootball\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed in Cyrillic “F. Zakharov” (lower right) and signed again and inscribed “Feodor Zakharov\/Football” (en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on card laid down on panel \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exceptionally rare early work by the celebrated portraitist Feodor Ivanovich Zakharov represents the rare opportunity to own a piece of both art historical and cultural significance. Undoubtedly, football is the most beloved sport in the world, commanding the attention of billions of enthusiasts worldwide. However, the sport has seldom been chosen as a subject for fine art, particularly in its early days. Entitled \u003cem\u003eFootball\u003c\/em\u003e, this dynamic oil, which was once owned by the North Carolina Museum of Art, is one of a select few that highlights the excitement of this international pastime. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The ambitious composition is highly unusual for the artist, who is particularly known for the highly popular portraits of New York society that dominated his later output. Instead, \u003cem\u003eFootball\u003c\/em\u003e offers a glimpse into Zakharov's early experimentation with reflections, light and shadows. In the present work, the technique contributes to the fervor of the game, which is further intensified by the highly saturated patches of orange-red on the players' uniforms and in the packed spectator-stands behind them. Overall, the effect is impressive and dynamic, bringing the atmosphere of the match to life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Zakharov painted the work around 1912, which was an historic year for Russian football. The establishment of the Football Union of Russia took place that year, and a number of teams had emerged, including OLLS Moscow (known today as CSKA Moscow). It is possible they are one of the teams depicted here, as they played in distinctive red and blue stripped uniforms. For the first time, Russia also sent a football team to the Olympic Games in Stockholm, where they played teams from Finland, Germany, Hungary and Norway. In this context, \u003cem\u003eFootball\u003c\/em\u003e represents a significant step taken in the history of Russian sport, and also the country’s emergence onto the world stage. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Astrakhan in 1882, Feodor Zakharov studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture from 1910 until 1916. He began to exhibit as early as 1911, an amazing accomplishment for a young artist. He was invited to be an exhibitor and member of the committee organizing the \u003cem\u003eRussian Art Exhibition\u003c\/em\u003e planned for New York City in 1924. \u003cem\u003eFootball\u003c\/em\u003e was among the few compositions the artist leant for the exhibition, representing his entrée into New York society. Like many other émigrés who escaped the Russian Revolution, Zakharov subsequently settled in New York, where he opened a studio in Central Park South in 1932. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e His paintings soon gained a significant following among affluent society. He received a number of commissions from important patrons, including Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, Mrs. Calvin Coolidge and philanthropist Charles R. Crane. Zakharov exhibited both as a solo artist in cities such as Paris, New York and Philadelphia, and contributed to the \u003cem\u003eInternational Exhibition of Modern Art\u003c\/em\u003e held at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh. Enjoying such great success in America, Zakharov thrived as a society portraitist in New York and never return to Russia. He won a number of prizes, and today, his work is exhibited at in number of prestigious collections all over the world, including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1912 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Panel: 27” high x 36 1\/2” wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 37 7\/8” high x 47 1\/4” wide \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibitions:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Russian Art Exhibition\u003c\/em\u003e, 1924, New York, Grand Central Palace\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSesqui-Centennial International Exposition\u003c\/em\u003e, 1926, Philadelphia, Department of Fine Arts\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFeodor Zakharov: A Retrospective Exhibition\u003c\/em\u003e, 1965, Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of Art \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFeodor Zakharov: A Retrospective Exhibition\u003c\/em\u003e, 1965, Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of Art, p. 9, no. 3 (illustrated) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The artist, at least until 1965\u003cbr\u003e Elsie and George Kramer, New York\u003cbr\u003e North Carolina Museum of Fine Art, Raleigh, NC\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51803564704066,"sku":null,"price":495000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0982\/5376\/6978\/files\/29-6396_1_1251e0bc-987a-4ccb-ad2d-40db0bb92cad.png?v=1768102755","url":"https:\/\/www.bullvendors19.com\/products\/football-by-feodor-ivanovich-zakharov","provider":"Bull Vendors 19","version":"1.0","type":"link"}