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RUSSIAN, 1898-1957
CLUSTERS OF GRAPES

measurements
13 by 16 1/8 in.

alternate measurements
33 by 41.3 cm

signed P. Tchelitchew (lower right)

oil on canvas

PROVENANCE

Paris, Martin du Louvre

LITERATURE

Allen Tanner, ``A Promenade, and an `Altruistic' Pilferage That Led To A Masterpiece,'' 1972 (Original letter in the Yale University, Beinecke Library)

NOTE

From 1925 until their departure in 1934, Pavel Tchelitchew and Allen Tanner spent their summers in Guermantes. Tanner recalls in``A Promenade, and an `altruistic' pilferage that led to a masterpiece'' how a country walk led to the making of the present painting. According to Tanner, after spotting bunches of beautiful grapes in an overgrown garden, he brought them to Tchelitchew's attention who ``held them up to the light and I could see that he was obsessed by their shining beauty.'' Immediately Tchelitchew placed them on a plate and the next morning with the early light the masterpiece was complete. ``How do you like your `pilfered' grapes?'' Tchelitchew inquired of his companion.