MIKHAIL CHEMIAKIN (RUSSIAN, B. 1943) Metaphysical Bust, 1993

Pastel and colored pencil on black paper.

Signed and dated lower left.

Image size: 40 x 30 in (101 x 76 cm).

Frame size: 51 1/2 x 37 3/8 in (131 x 95 cm).

A powerful and visually sophisticated large-scale work by celebrated Russian artist Mikhail Chemiakin, one of the central figures of Soviet nonconformist art and a major voice of the postwar Russian avant-garde. Executed in 1993, this striking composition embodies the artist’s iconic metaphysical style — combining surreal figuration, psychological tension, and theatrical abstraction into a highly original visual language instantly associated with Chemiakin’s most important mature works.

The elongated fragmented figure emerges against a richly textured atmospheric ground, constructed through flowing contours, layered pastel surfaces, and bold chromatic accents. The composition possesses both sculptural monumentality and lyrical movement, reflecting Chemiakin’s lifelong exploration of metaphysical imagery, archetypal forms, and the transformation of the human figure into symbolic structure.

Created during an important mature period of the artist’s international career following his emigration from the Soviet Union in 1971, the work relates closely to Chemiakin’s celebrated metaphysical cycles and museum-quality figurative compositions of the late 20th century.

Mikhail Chemiakin was one of the leading representatives of unofficial Soviet art before emigrating to the West. His works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the The State Tretyakov Gallery, The State Russian Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as important European and American private collections.

An exhibition label verso identifies the work in Russian as “Метафизический бюст” (“Metaphysical Bust”), 1993.

Condition: Appears to be in very good overall condition; professionally framed under acrylic/glazing