This mid-20th-century drawing by Russian artist Boris Sporykhin (1928-2020) depicts two girls reading within an interior. They also appear in an earlier oil painting, so it’s plausible that he knew them well.

Hailing from Rostov Don, Boris Sporykhin’s legacy is one of rural Russia enlivened with dynamic colour effects and flickering dapples of light. Described as the ‘Rostov Paul Cezanne’, his oeuvre carries an adventurous spirit underpinned by an appreciation of both impressionism and realism.

Many of his digitised works are academic drawings from his time in Moscow that exemplify his skill as a draughtsman, but these contrast with his later works in oil, which are freer, uplifting, and buoyant. He’s represented in numerous public collections.

A candid moment captured with aplomb.

Signed/dated lower right, framed and glazed.

Learn more about Boris Sporykhin in our directory.

Medium: Pencil on paper
Overall size: 20” x 28” / 51cm x 71cm
Year of creation: 1957
Provenance: Private collection, England.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £11,000
Our reference: BRV1711