Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
Annunciation (1950)
Oil on canvas, 49.5 x 73cm (19½ x 28½'')
Signed

Provenance: With Molton Gallery, London (partial label verso).
The artist's family by...

Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
Annunciation (1950)
Oil on canvas, 49.5 x 73cm (19½ x 28½'')
Signed

Provenance: With Molton Gallery, London (partial label verso).
The artist's family by descent

The Annunciation has arguably been one of the most frequent topics in Christian art. And this painting represents Rakoczis outlook with the angel Gabriel informing the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus. Three angels are present to this event, seemingly discretely behind a wall. The wall contains a shelf with three lilies, a flower symbolizing Marys purity and innocence.

Rakoczi has used two of his most common trademark features to represent this scene, being his use of bold, strong colour and his wookie characters.

In June 1950, when this piece was painted, Rakoczi was living as a regular guest in the home of his good friend and sometimes sponsor, Mme Kourdinowsky, in Menton in southern France. The house was very close to the Monastery of the Annunciation in the town and the artist was inspired and beguiled by the buildings simple features and, for him, powerful atmosphere. He had already produced a few goauches on a similar theme and this oil was the culmination of his work.

Our thanks to the artists Grandson, Christopher Rákóczi for his help in cataloguing this lot.

 

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