Konstantin Makovsky's Ivan Susanin to lead sale of Russian art in London

Konstantin Makovsky's Ivan Susanin (1914) will headline a sale of Russian art at Sotheby's London on November 24 with a £1.5m-2.5m ($2.4m-4m) estimate.

Susanin is a Russian folk hero who lived during the 17th century.

Makovsky Ivan Susanin
Ivan Susanin is said to have saved the life of a young Mikhail Romanov

He is alleged to have saved the life of a young Mikhail Romanov, founder of the Romanov dynasty, by leading a band of assassins into a deep forest.

Makovsky depicts the scene where, realising they had been tricked, they torture and kill Susanin before perishing in the cold.

Makovsky (1839-1915) is associated with an influential group of Russian artists known as The Wanderers, who broke with the formal tradition of academy art - choosing ordinary people as their subjects.

They would later serve as a major influence on the Soviet realists.  

Boris Kustodiev's Bakhchisarai (1917) is another highlight with a valuation of £1.2m-1.8m ($1.9m-2.9m).

Kustodiev Sothebys Russian
Bakhchisarai is a city in Crimea

Kustodiev (1878-1927) worked predominantly as an illustrator. He was a strong supporter of the 1905 revolution and his work became hugely popular in its aftermath.  

Sotheby's describe it as "without doubt the most impressive and exciting pre-revolutionary painting by Kustodiev to come to light in recent memory."

We have a fascinating selection of art and photography memorabilia available, click here to take a look.

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