151 - Constantin TERECHKOVITCH (Moscow 1902 – Monaco 1978)

Constantin TERECHKOVITCH (Moscow 1902 – Monaco 1978) Young Woman with a Dachshund in an Interior Featuring Marc Chagall’s “Nice Soleil Fleurs” Created in 1969 Watercolor on paper 48 x 40 cm Signed lower right “C. Terechkovitch” On the back of the protective matboard: a label from the Paul Pétridès Gallery in Paris, a provenance note in red pencil reading “Mr. Fridsch,” and the number 33 in white chalk. Provenance: Millon Auction, June 22, 2020, lot 244 Private collection, Paris Chagall and Terechkovitch both came from the Russian diaspora in Paris. Terechkovitch arrived in Paris in 1920, while Chagall—who was fifteen years his senior—had first arrived in Paris in 1911. When Terechkovitch arrived in Paris, Chagall was already a recognized painter; they moved in the same circle of Russian artists in Paris. Terechkovitch created a pencil portrait of Chagall in 1961 (Lot 87, Millon “École de Paris” auction on May 4, 2021), demonstrating his admiration for his elder colleague and their bond. Terechkovitch once again expressed his admiration for Marc Chagall by depicting the “Nice Soleil Fleurs” poster, which Terechkovitch displayed in his home. The young girl depicted is most certainly one of the painter’s daughters—France or Nathalie—in the painter’s home. Terechkovitch’s painting “Children in the Studio, 1967,” reproduced on page 78 of Georges Vigne’s book, reveals the presence of this same Chagall poster in Terechkovitch’s studio.