62 - NATALIA NESTEROVA (RUSSIAN 1944-2022)

NATALIA NESTEROVA (RUSSIAN 1944-2022) La Fidelite, 2007 Oil on canvas 121.9 x 91.4 cm (48 x 36 in) signed. dated, titled on verso Lot Notes La Fidelite is a captivating example of Natalia Nesterovas exploration of classical allegory through a modern, tactile lens. In this composition, the artist depicts a statuesque female figure modeled after traditional garden sculpture, accompanied by a small dog—a classic symbol of the fidelity suggested by the works title. Set against a dense screen of lush green chestnut leaves and a vibrant blue sky, the figure holds a small object, perhaps a heart or a piece of fruit, as an offering. This juxtaposition of a stilled, stone-like form with a living botanical backdrop creates a characteristic Nesterovian tension between the eternal and the transitory, turning a decorative garden scene into a monumental meditation on steadfastness. The painting is a masterclass in the heavy, expressive impasto that serves as the hallmark of Nesterovas technical prowess. The white marble-like surface of the statue is built up with thick, rhythmic strokes of oil paint, giving the figure a physical weight and a weathered texture that mimics the aging of stone in the elements. This sculptural approach to painting is echoed in the deep greens of the foliage, where each leaf is individually modeled with a palette knife to create a high-relief effect. The rich, vibrating surface of the canvas allows light to play across the ridges of pigment, imbuing the work with a visceral energy that contradicts the frozen pose of the subjects and draws the viewer into a sensory engagement with the medium itself. La Fideliterepresents a significant moment in Nesterovas later career, showcasing her ability to reinterpret historical motifs with her unique psychological edge. While many of her works from this period focus on social theater, this piece leans into a more mythic and atmospheric realm, emphasizing the silent, enduring qualities of human values represented through artifice. Her work has been celebrated for its bridge between the Soviet non-conformist tradition and a global contemporary figurative style, earning her a permanent place in world-renowned museum collections. This 2007 canvas stands as a powerful testament to her legacy, offering a vision of loyalty that is as physically enduring as the layers of paint from which it is formed. N.B. Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions & Appraisals LLC and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions & Appraisals, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.