Skip to content
Konstantin Korovin – Night Scene in Paris, 1927 – Oil painting, front view without frame
02:

Konstantin Korovin — Night Scene in Paris, 1927

50.5 × 60 cm | 19.9 × 23.6 in
Oil on Canvas
Sold for 95,000
121,600 € with buyer’s premium

Details

Signed front lower left “Konstant. Korovine 1927”.

Sizes:
Artwork: 50.5 × 60 cm | 19.9 × 23.6 in

Step into the nocturnal vibrancy of Night Scene in Paris, a masterful cityscape painted in 1927 by Russian Impressionist Konstantin Korovin. Alive with electric light, fleeting figures, and the pulse of Parisian nightlife, the painting is a lyrical meditation on modernity, exile, and memory. Painted during Korovin’s mature years in France, this work captures the artist’s enduring fascination with light—not as illumination alone, but as emotion rendered visible.

Korovin’s brush does not merely depict Paris—it animates it. Layer upon expressive layer of oil paint sweeps across the canvas in bursts of ochre, blue, and vermilion, evoking the shimmer of gaslights, the gleam of wet cobblestones, and the hum of evening life. Figures drift like shadows caught mid-movement. Buildings glow with warmth. There is no fixed center; instead, the viewer is drawn into a living moment where the boundaries between perception and feeling dissolve.

Rather than a precise record, Night Scene in Paris is an emotional atmosphere—a memory refracted through color and gesture. It channels the essence of Impressionism while infusing it with a uniquely Slavic melancholy and theatricality.

Created after Korovin’s emigration from Soviet Russia, this painting resonates with quiet longing. As an artist once celebrated at the Imperial court, Korovin found himself reinventing his visual language in Paris—a city both foreign and familiar. Here, he turns to the streets not for spectacle, but for solace. In this nocturne, one senses a man observing from the edge of the crowd, painting with both nostalgia and newfound freedom.

Paintings from Korovin’s Parisian period are highly sought after by collectors for their expressive force, historical resonance, and painterly brilliance. Night Scene in Paris offers all three. Its size and subject matter make it ideal for prominent display—whether in a private salon or museum-grade collection.

This is a work that commands presence while whispering its story. Rich in narrative and technique, it occupies a special place in the arc of 20th-century Russian art in exile.

With the art market’s renewed interest in Russian émigré painters, Korovin’s works continue to appreciate in value and relevance. His ability to merge Western impressionistic aesthetics with the emotional depth of Russian visual tradition gives his paintings a lasting appeal that transcends eras.

Night Scene in Paris is more than an artwork—it is a window into the soul of a displaced genius, a poetic tribute to beauty found in transience. For the discerning collector, it offers a rare opportunity to acquire both legacy and light.

Provenance

Private collection, Paris, France.

Condition Report

Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Unframed.

Conditions of Sale

All lots are sold as is. See Section 4 of our Terms and Conditions for return policy.
All inquiries must be made prior to bidding, as no further details can be provided after the sale.

By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions in full.

Konstantin Korovin

Konstantin Korovin

Russian (1861-1939)

Konstantin Korovin, a leading figure of Russian Impressionism, captured the poetry of modern life through vibrant brushwork and atmospheric cityscapes. Born in Moscow in 1861, Korovin studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he was influenced by the Russian realist tradition and the emerging currents of European Impressionism. A lifelong traveler and cosmopolitan, he developed a unique style that blended Russian lyricism with the light and spontaneity of French painting.

Drawn to the charm of urban nightlife and theatrical settings, Korovin spent extensive periods in Paris, where he painted bustling boulevards, cafés, and nocturnes with bold strokes and luminous palettes. His works pulse with energy—capturing fleeting moments, shimmering lights, and the romantic melancholy of twilight. Beyond painting, he also made significant contributions to stage design for the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres, bringing a painter’s sensitivity to the world of opera and ballet. Today, Korovin is remembered as a visionary who bridged Russian and Western artistic traditions, infusing Impressionism with emotional depth and Slavic soul.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about participating in our auctions or submitting your artwork? Find answers to common inquiries below, or feel free to reach out for more details.
All Aurora & Athena auctions are conducted exclusively online. You may bid live through LiveAuctioneersInvaluableDrouot or BidSpirit, or leave absentee bids in advance on these platforms. Please refer to our How to Bid page for complete bidding instructions.
Not at the moment — we don’t offer phone bidding. But you can easily join the action live on LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable or BidSpirit from anywhere in the world!
Yes. Absentee bids may be submitted through LiveAuctioneersInvaluableDrouot or BidSpirit at any time before the auction starts.
Successful bidders will receive an invoice following the auction. Payment and any applicable KYC documentation must be completed within 14 days of the auction.
If you require any additional information regarding our auctions, gallery, private sales or services, we would be delighted to assist. Contact us via our Contact page or email contact@auroraathena.com.

Stay ahead of the art world

Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates on upcoming auctions, new catalog releases, and more!