Chinese ink on paper
USA, 20th century
David Burliuk (1882-1967) – American artist
Signed in ink lower left ‘D. Burliuk’
Framed
Dimensions: 11 x 8 ½ in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm.)
Exhibited: ACA Galleries, New York

This portrait of a woman holding a fish by David Burliuk is rendered in thick stokes of black ink. Holding the fish by its head with her other hand gesturing towards the animal, an instant dialogue is created with the viewer in its simplicity. Whilst the fish is more realistic, the woman’s body is composed of angled and geometric forms.

Executed in the 20th century, this Chinese ink on paper drawing is signed in ink. The work is framed, with the sheet measuring 11 x 8 ½ inches. ½ inch verticle tear in upper left corner; ½ inch tear in upper left edge; ¾ inch crease in upper right corner; slight toning throughout; ¼ inch circular staining in lower right; adhered along lower edge.

David Davidovich Burliuk (American, 1882-1967)

Born in 1882, David Davidovich Burliuk attended art schools in Russia, Munich and Paris before returning to Russia to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. It was there he endorsed the 1912 Futurist Manifesto, demanding art for Russia that was independent of Europe and drew on Russian tradition. Burliuk took part in the “Blauer Reiter” movement, showing works in Munich at the first German Autumn Salon and in a group show at the Van Diemen Gallery in Berlin. He then moved to the United States, becoming an American citizen in 1930. He continued to work on his painting and writings on art, developing a stylistic pluralism before turning to realistic landscapes and portraits in his late work. Burliuk died on Long Island, New York, in 1967.