Ленин [Lenin], sketches by Nathan Altman. St. Petersburg, 1921. Russian.
A booklet with ten reproductions of sketches by Nathan Altman – nine portraits of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin and a sketch of the view seen from the window of his office in the Kremlin. The sketches are signed and dated in the plate ("Nathan Altman, Moscow – Kremlin, 1920"). Lenin's facsimile signature on p. 3. Suprematist cover design by Altman.
In 1920, Nathan Altman was invited to the Kremlin to create a portrait of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and founder of the USSR. To complete this task, Altman spent about six weeks in the Kremlin. Since Lenin did not have time or patience to sit for a portrait, Altman captured his face and movements in a number of quick realistic sketches, deviating from his artistic style at the time, which documented Lenin during his daily routine – sitting at his desk, speaking on the phone, during meetings, and more. By the end of his stay in the Kremlin, Altman created a bust of Lenin, which became the first portrait of Lenin to be shown outside the USSR.
[3] leaves, [10] plates, [2] leaves, 22.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Strips of paper for reinforcement to inner margins. Detached cover, with stains. Tears to cover edges and spine (reinforced with tape). Stamp and pen notation on back cover.
Provenance: The collection of Uzi Agassi.