Valentin Serov (1865-1911)

Valentin Serov (1865-1911)
Vas'ka
Valentin Serov (1865-1911) Vas'ka signed in Cyrillic and dated 'V Serov/99' (lower right) and inscribed in Russian ‘Anna Karlovna Benua’ (lower centre) tusche crayon on transfer paper, laid down onto wove paper 9½ x 12½ in. (24.1 x 31.5 cm.) Drawn in 1899 with pencil inscription by Alexandre Benois 'V. Sérof 1899/dessin sur papier/lithographique/offert à ma/bien-aimée femme Anne Karloff/Benois' and with pencil inscription in Russian 'Chernaia rechka. Portnov's dacha/Chernaia rechka close to Raivola/Dacha/of Portnov/Vas'ka the poorly horse/I beg Serzh (Diaghilev) to make a lithograph of this drawing. Serov is opposed' (on the reverse)