Anatoly Zverev (Russian, 1931-1986) Autoportrait/ Self-Portrait signé des initiales en caractères cyrilliques et daté « 83 » (en bas à gauche) crayon sur papier 60 x 48cm (23 5/8 x 18 7/8in). signed with Cyrillic initials and dated '83' (lower left) pencil on paper Footnotes: Provenance Acquired directly from the artist in Moscow Collection of Eric Peschler, Switzerland Thence by descent to the present owner Literature Eric A. Peschler , Studios of Moscow Contemporary Drawings / Ateliers de Moscou Dessins Contemporains, Enrico Navarra, 1992, p. 186, illustrated Anatoly Zverev, an artist of remarkable improvisational talent who could produce a work in a matter of minutes, remains a unique phenomenon in the history of unofficial Soviet art. Impossible to place within any particular artistic movement or group, Zverev was a solitary figure whose creative practice was sustained largely by his personal charisma and singular individuality, both inseparable from his art. Georgy Kostaki described the passionate artist as a 'lyrical expressionist'. Despite the energy, aggression, and spontaneity of his works, they possess a subtle lyricism and sense of hope that emerge through the master's seemingly chaotic line. For all their apparent spontaneity and expressive force, Zverev's works contain nothing superfluous or accidental. What initially appears to be disorder, an accumulation of painterly gestures and patches of colour, ultimately resolves into a harmonious composition. Improvisation was a fundamental aspect of his artistic practice. Zverev worked constantly and everywhere, making use of whatever materials happened to be available. Another defining characteristic of the artist was his legendary productivity. The vast body of works he created constitutes a significant chapter in his artistic legacy. Not only did he work across a variety of techniques, but he also explored virtually every genre. His early abstract compositions stand, in terms of artistic achievement, alongside his numerous portraits, still lifes, landscapes, and animal studies. The creative energy of Zverev's art, together with its occasional sense of incompleteness and sketch-like quality, offers viewers considerable scope for interpretation, inviting them to participate actively in the process of reflection and meaning-making. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at the preferential rate (currently 5.5 %) on Hammer price and Buyer's Premium for artworks, collectibles and antiques if the item remains in EU. TVA sur les objets importés au taux réduit (actuellement 5,5 %) appliquée au prix d'adjudication et à la commission acheteur pour les œuvres d'art, objets de collection et antiquités, dans le cas où l'objet reste dans l'Union européenne. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing