[STRIKING AVANT-GARDE COVER] - Lenin
by ALTMAN, Natan
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Fine example of the first edition of this celebrated artist's work, with the famous cover in fine condition.
In 1920, Altman was invited to the Kremlin to create a bronze portrait of Vladimir Lenin. To complete this task, he spent about six weeks with the Bolsheviks' leader, sketching his face and daily routine movements, such as sitting at the desk, reading, speaking on the phone and during meetings - apparently, Lenin did not have time or patience to deliberately pose for the portrait otherwise.
The best sketches in preparation of the bronze bust eventually formed this booklet in which Lenin's facsimile signature is followed by ten reproductions of Altman's sketches: nine portraits and a view seen from the window of Lenin's office; each drawing is signed and dated "Nat. Altman, Moscow – Kremlin, May 1920". All the sketches are rendered in realist style, unusual for Altman's 1920s art which manifests itself in his design of the suprematist cover - a fine example of Soviet avant-garde book art.
Born in nowadays Ukraine to a Jewish family, Natan Altman (1889-1970) was a Soviet avant-garde artist, sculptor and book illustrator, who experimented in various modernist styles, significantly inspired by Jewish folk art. An ardent supporter of the Bolshevik revolution, he was a member of the main Soviet modernist art groups, including IZO-Narkompros (the Department of Fine Arts of the People's Commissariat for Education) and Kom-Fut (Communist Futurists), creating agitprop art and stage set designs. In 1928, Altman went on a tour in Europe with the Moscow State Jewish Theatre (GOSET) and remained in Paris until 1935. After his return to Russia in 1936, he was based in Leningrad, working mainly as a graphic designer and book illustrator, and trying to adhere to the party's new line, favouring socialist realism instead of modernism.
Description
Quarto (22.3 × 18.5 cm). Title, [2] ll., 10 plates, [2] ll.
Binding
Original publisher's printed wrappers by Altman.Condition
Very slightly soiled and bumped at extremities, spine minimally restored; internally in very good condition.
Bibliography
Moma 331. ref: [2107]
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Details
- Bookseller
- PY Rare Books (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 2107
- Title
- [STRIKING AVANT-GARDE COVER] - Lenin
- Author
- ALTMAN, Natan
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Nar. Kom. po Prosveshcheniiu, Peterburg, 1921
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Keywords
- judaica, art, russia, revolution, avant-garde, russian, constructivsim
- Bookseller catalogs
- 20th century: avant-garde and dissidence;
Terms of Sale
PY Rare Books
About the Seller
PY Rare Books
About PY Rare Books
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Wrappers
- The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...
- Facsimile
- An exact copy of an original work. In books, it refers to a copy or reproduction, as accurate as possible, of an original...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
- Soiled
- Generally refers to minor discoloration or staining.