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Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955) Girl with White Scarf

Dimensions 35 × 23 cm | 13.8 × 9.1 in
Medium Oil on Canvas
Sold For
75,000 €
93,750 € with buyer’s premium (rate at the time of sale)
Estimate: 12,000 - 15,000 €

Details

Signed top right “N. Fechin”.

Sizes:
Frame: 51.5 × 40 cm | 20.3 × 15.7 in
Artwork: 35 × 23 cm | 13.8 × 9.1 in

Step into the world of timeless artistry with Nicolai Fechin’s “Girl with White Scarf,” a poignant masterpiece by the celebrated Russian-American painter renowned for his expressive brushwork and emotional depth. This evocative portrait captures a fleeting moment of innocence and beauty, brought to life with Fechin’s unparalleled technique and artistic vision.

Rendered in oil on canvas, this classic medium exudes richness, capturing Fechin’s mastery of light, shadow, and movement with extraordinary precision, making a significant contribution to American art. The painting is elegantly presented in a vintage gold frame, enhancing its sophistication and making it ready for display in any refined space.

The rarity of “Girl with White Scarf” lies in its intimate composition, likely painted from life. Fechin’s journey as an artist began at the Art School of Kazan, where he enrolled at the age of thirteen, laying the foundation for his exceptional skills. He later graduated with high honors from the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, which significantly influenced his artistic development. Every detail speaks to Fechin’s genius as a master of light and emotion, making this artwork both historically significant and highly sought after.

To own Nicolai Fechin’s “Girl with White Scarf” is to invite an enduring dialogue between art, emotion, and history into your collection. This masterpiece is more than a painting; it is an heirloom, an investment, and a celebration of beauty that transcends time.

Elevate your collection with this remarkable treasure today, and become the custodian of a story that will inspire for generations to come.

Condition Report

Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Framed.

Authenticity & Buyer Information

This lot is catalogued under the artist’s name without qualification and is covered by our Five-Year Authenticity Guarantee under Section 4 of the Conditions of Sale. The guarantee concerns authorship; it does not extend to provenance, dating, condition or value, which are described to the best of our knowledge.

Buyers should review the catalogue carefully and raise any questions before bidding; additional information is not ordinarily provided after the auction.

5-Year Authenticity Guarantee

Five years on authorship for works catalogued under the artist’s name without qualification (Section 4 of our Conditions of Sale); headings such as “Attributed to” or “Circle of” are sold as described.

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Pay by card for purchases up to €10,000, or by secure bank transfer for larger amounts.

Questions about this lot

How does the estimate compare with the artist’s recent auction results?

The estimate of €12,000–€15,000 is our opinion of the range this work should reach; We have not published comparable results for this lot; ask us before the sale and we will send the results we based the estimate on.

What will this lot cost in total?

Bidding on this site, the buyer’s premium is 25%, Spanish IVA included, and there is no VAT on the hammer price and no card fee: at the low estimate of €12,000 the total is €15,000; at the high estimate of €15,000 the total is €18,750.

Through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Drouot or Bidspirit the premium is 30%, so the same hammer of €15,000 costs €19,500 there. Shipping and insurance are quoted separately; the estimator on this page gives the figure for your country. Buyers outside the EU pay no Spanish tax on the lot; the destination’s import rules apply (United States: original paintings and drawings enter duty-free; United Kingdom: 5% import VAT on art). Card payments are accepted up to €10,000; larger amounts by bank transfer.

Is the attribution covered by the Five-Year Authenticity Guarantee?

Yes. This lot is catalogued under the artist’s name without qualification, so it carries our Five-Year Authenticity Guarantee under Section 4 of the Conditions of Sale: if the authorship proves materially incorrect, you may return the work within five years for a refund of the purchase price. The guarantee concerns authorship; provenance, dating, condition and value are described to the best of our knowledge and are not guaranteed.

Can I see the condition report, more photographs or the work itself?

A condition report with ultraviolet photographs is prepared on request, normally within two working days; the condition summary on this page is examined in-house and is not a conservator’s report. Further photographs of any detail, the reverse or the frame are sent on request. The work can be examined in our Barcelona showroom by appointment before the sale, and you are welcome to send your own conservator or specialist.

Nicolai Fechin

Nicolai Fechin

Russian (1881-1955)

Nicolai Fechin, born in 1881 in Kazan, Russia, was a visionary Russian-American painter and sculptor renowned for his dynamic brushwork, rich color palette, and emotionally charged portraits. His early artistic training at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg shaped his ability to blend academic precision with a loose, impressionistic style. Fechin’s early works, often inspired by Russian peasant life, displayed a raw, textural quality that set him apart from his contemporaries.

In 1923, Fechin immigrated to the United States, settling in Taos, New Mexico, where he found inspiration in the landscapes and indigenous cultures of the American Southwest. His paintings from this period, such as Taos Girl and Indian Head, showcased his remarkable ability to capture both the physical likeness and inner essence of his subjects. His technique, characterized by thick, impasto strokes and a fusion of realism and abstraction, became a defining element of his artistic legacy.

Beyond painting, Fechin was also an accomplished sculptor and architect, designing his own adobe-style home in Taos, which remains a historic landmark today. His influence continues to resonate in the art world, bridging Russian academic traditions with the vibrant energy of modern impressionism.

What collectors say about us

“The description and photos of the artwork were accurate, and I felt confident in my purchase from the beginning. The team was quick to answer my questions and kept me well informed throughout the process.”
Markus, Heidelberg LiveAuctioneers
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