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Autographed photograph of the poet Anna
Akhmatova taken by Mossei Nappelbaum and inscribed to
Yakov Petrovich Grebenschikov. [c. 1921]. Albumen print
mounted on brown card (275 x 225 mm). Signed by the
photographer. Presentation inscription by Akhmatova in ink below
the photograph and dated June 16,
1927; framed.
photograph with inscription by Anna
Akhmatova, a legendary figure in
modern russian poetry and a symbol of artistic
integrity under the most unbearable conditions. The Central
Committee of the Communist Party denounced the “eroticism,
mysticism, and political indifference”
of her poetry. For many years her work was banned and she lost
many of the people who were dearest to her.
Many were imprisoned or killed. Her first husband was
executed and her third died in the Gulag. Her son too was sent
to prison and she capitulated to
Stalin in the vain hope of securing his release. The lucky ones
emigrated. She remained behind and somehow survived to bear
witness to her suffering. Her extraodinary looks inspired
many painters including Modigliani, Altman, Annenkov and
Petrov-Vodkin. This
is an especially fine photograph of the great poet possibly of
1921 with a fine inscription.
Provenance: Bloomsbury auctions NY sale 21
May 2008 Lot 4 |
