Oscar Rabin (Russian, 1928–2018) Rue Saint-Denis, 1986

Rue Saint-Denis, 1986

Oil on canvas

Canvas size: 29 x 36 in (73.6 x 91.5 cm)

Frame size: 36 x 43 in (91.4 x 109.2 cm)

Signed and dated lower center: Oscar Rabin, 1986.

Titled and inscribed in Cyrillic on the reverse: “Лев на улице St. Denis,” 1986, №920.

A powerful and museum-quality work by Oscar Rabin, a leading figure of Soviet Nonconformist Art, founder of the Lianozovo group, and a key participant in the historic Bulldozer Exhibition. After his emigration, Rabin settled in Paris, where he developed the distinctive visual language seen in this work.

Painted in 1986, Rue Saint-Denis belongs to his mature Paris period. The composition presents a surreal café scene populated by expressive, grotesque figures part human, part animal centered around a commanding lion motif. This symbolic presence introduces psychological tension and reflects Rabin’s recurring exploration of identity and human condition.

Executed in a restrained, earthy palette with bold contouring and a textured surface, the painting exemplifies Rabin’s unmistakable style raw, direct, and emotionally charged.

Rabin’s works are held in major museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, and the Centre Pompidou.

A strong and highly collectible example from Rabin’s Paris period, combining expressive force, narrative depth, and historical significance.