Antiques, Decorative and Fine Arts Auction
Antiques, Decorative and Fine Arts Auction
Lot 179: Oleg Tselkov (Russian, 1934-2021) Nonconformist Intaglio Surrealist Print, Signed and Inscribed, ca. 1977
2026-04-25T15:00:00Z
Start price: CAD $50
Lot 179:
Oleg Tselkov (Russian, 1934-2021) Nonconformist Intaglio Surrealist Print, Signed and Inscribed, ca. 1977
Description
Small-format intaglio print by Soviet nonconformist artist Oleg Tselkov depicting a suspended biomorphic or mask-like form rendered through dense cross-hatched engraving.
The lower margin bears a multi-line handwritten inscription in pencil in Cyrillic. The first line reads “От Олега Целкова 1977 Москва” (“From Oleg Tselkov, Moscow 1977”), followed by the artist’s signature “Олег Целков.” A further dedication line appears below addressed to a recipient named Boris, the surname written in cursive Cyrillic and interpretable as either “Борису Тухаскому” (Boris Tukhasky / Tukhassky) or “Борису Пухасскому” (Boris Pukhassky) due to the stylized handwriting.
Presented framed with wide margins surrounding the image.
Details
Artist: Oleg Tselkov (1934-2021)
Title: Untitled (Suspended Figure / “Face on a Rope”)
Date: 1977
Medium: Engraving / intaglio print on paper
Image size: approx. 11 × 5.5 cm (4.3 × 2.2 in)
Sheet size: approx. 13 × 21 cm (5.1 × 8.3 in)
Framed size: approx. 12 × 6.5 in (visible)
Signature / Inscription: Inscribed in pencil in Cyrillic: “From Oleg Tselkov, Moscow 1977,” signed Oleg Tselkov, with a dedication to Boris (surname possibly Tukhasky / Tukhassky or Pukhassky)
Condition: Not examined out of frame
Catalogue Note
Oleg Tselkov was a central figure of the Soviet nonconformist art movement, developing a distinctive visual language centered on distorted mask-like figures that conveyed psychological tension and existential unease. While best known for his paintings, Tselkov also produced a small number of graphic works that translate his characteristic imagery into finely engraved line.
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