Artist: Nikolai Ivanovich Osenev (Russian/Soviet, 1909–1983)

Title: Fair at Rakov / Yarmarka. Rakov

Original Title: Ярмарка. Раков

Date: 1951

Medium: Oil on canvas

Artwork Size: Approx. 24.7 × 17.4 cm / 9.7 × 6.9 in

The vintage reverse label records the size as 24.5 × 17.5 cm.

Signature: Signed and dated in the lower-left corner. The inscription appears to read “9 IX 51,” corresponding to September 9, 1951.

Framing: Framed under glazing.

Provenance: A vintage label from the Art Export Salon of the USSR Art Fund is attached to the reverse. The label identifies the artist as Nikolai Ivanovich Osenev, the title as Fair at Rakov, the medium as oil on canvas, and the artwork dimensions.

Condition

The painting appears to be in good overall vintage condition.

No obvious tears, punctures, extensive cracking or major areas of paint loss are visible in the supplied photographs. As the work remains framed under glazing, the entire painted surface has not been examined outside the frame.

The frame, backing board and reverse labels show age-related wear, discoloration, marks and general signs of handling.

Please carefully review all photographs, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Comment

A lively and historically documented town scene painted by Nikolai Ivanovich Osenev in 1951.

The work depicts a busy market gathering in Rakov, with numerous figures moving through the street beneath a prominent church tower. Short, energetic brushstrokes and restrained gray, green and earth tones capture the movement and atmosphere of everyday life rather than focusing on architectural detail.

The exact date, handwritten signature and original USSR Art Fund export label provide unusually strong documentary context for this small plein-air oil painting.

An appealing example of postwar Soviet genre painting, combining landscape, architecture and everyday human activity.