$10,800
oil on board 24. 5 x 57.5 cm (9 5/8 x 22 5/8 in.) signed and titled on verso PROVENANCEAcquired directly from the ArtistPrivate Collection, U.S.A.EXHIBITED"Bulldozer Exhibition," Moscow, September 15, 1974The man seated in the back of the tram wearing a hat and gazing out of the window respresent Roginsky's own father, as he himself explained about this painting to the original owner. He further explained that he meant for the conductor of the tram to represent Brezhnev, and that the fact that the tram seems to be veering off of its tracks is an allusion that the tram was in a way on a passage to nowhere. A historical artifact as well as a powerful visual composition, this painting was exhibited at the infamous "Bulldozer Exhibition" of unofficial art that was physically shut down by the authorities using physical violence. As a memento of this legendary event in this history of art, this painting even bears a small mark (now restored) where KGB thugs hit it with a baton.
Auctioneer:
Shapiro Auctions
Date:
2009-11-22
