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[AKHMATOVA RUSSIAN POETRY PHOTO SIGNED NAPPELBAUM

[AKHMATOVA, Anna [Anna Andreevna Gorenko] (1889-1966).] Autographed photograph of the poet 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.