05: Konstantin Gorbatov – Still Life with Pumpkins and Geraniums, 1930

Signed front lower right “C. Gorbatov 1930”.

Step into the golden warmth of Still Life with Pumpkins and Geraniums, a luminous composition by Konstantin Gorbatov that captures the abundance of southern light and the quiet poetry of the everyday. Painted in 1930, during Gorbatov’s exile from Russia, this rare still life resonates with nostalgic beauty and Mediterranean clarity — a symphony of form, texture, and memory.

Light as Language, Stillness as Emotion

In this richly composed scene, Gorbatov presents an array of pumpkins, squashes, and lush green gourds set beneath a vase of bright red geraniums. The table becomes a stage for painterly meditation — an ode to natural form and seasonal bounty. But this is no mere academic still life. Each brushstroke breathes, catching the light with impressionistic precision, while the colors evoke the emotional clarity of Gorbatov’s best landscapes.

A whitewashed townscape climbs the background, bathed in morning haze. The contrast between the architectural backdrop and the organic foreground creates a poignant balance — the stillness of fruit against the pulse of place. As ever with Gorbatov, light is the true protagonist: it dances on every surface, illuminating the material with spiritual presence.

A Legacy of Movement and Memory

Gorbatov was a leading figure of Russian post-impressionism and one of the most poetic voices of the émigré community in early 20th-century Europe. While known primarily for his coastal views and churchscapes, this still life reveals another dimension of his artistry — one that turns inward.

Painted in Berlin, where Gorbatov lived after leaving Russia, this work is both a celebration of southern Europe and a private act of preservation. The pumpkins may speak of autumnal harvests, but also of rootedness; the geraniums bloom defiantly in exile. The artist’s signature appears boldly on the front, and on the reverse, he titles the work Nature Morte / Stilleben — marking its transnational identity in French and German alike.

Museum-Worthy Work with Deep Collector Appeal

This composition stands out not only for its rare genre within Gorbatov’s oeuvre but also for its painterly richness and emotional resonance. Works from the 1930s are especially prized for their maturity and coloristic depth. The tactile surface, vivid palette, and distinct signature all contribute to its curatorial and market value.

Gorbatov’s work has long been featured in major European institutions and has seen increasing demand on the international auction circuit. His post-impressionist vision, marked by elegance and sincerity, places him among the most collectible Russian painters of his generation.

A Jewel for the Connoisseur

Whether viewed as a vibrant still life or a coded portrait of exile, Still Life with Pumpkins and Geraniums is a painting that invites intimacy. It commands attention not through drama but through luminosity and lyrical restraint.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a museum-quality work by one of Russia’s most poetic émigré painters — a composition that bridges continents, seasons, and the inner world of an artist far from home.

Private collection, Berlin, Germany.

Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Unframed.