***WITHDRAWN***
Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
Diane et Son Cerf (1949)
Oil on canvas, 45 x 60.5cm (17 x 24'')
Signed

At the time this piece was painted in late October 1949, the artist...

***WITHDRAWN***
Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
Diane et Son Cerf (1949)
Oil on canvas, 45 x 60.5cm (17 x 24'')
Signed

At the time this piece was painted in late October 1949, the artist was living, as a guest, at the home of Mme Kourdinovsky in Menton, a rich friend and occasional patron of his work.

 

This painting continues Rakoczis theme of representations of old myths and folkloric tales. Diana is the Roman goddess of the hunt and wild animals and was renowned for her strength and independence, traits appreciated by the artist.

 

Here Diana sits contentedly with a deer in the forest. The deer is at ease, resting a leg. With her arms raised, is Diana talking to the deer? Is the deer haughtily ignoring her?

 

Rakoczi mixed his representation of strong mythological characters with his appreciation of the natural world. The painting has strong and clearly-defined colours - an influence probably reinforced from the work of Matisse whom he had recently, albeit briefly, met.

 

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