1937 Theodore Nadejan Floral Still Life California School Oil Painting – Taos

This is just a great original piece. This is one of a pair of paintings I bought from a dealer I do a lot of work with. He always gets great stuff directly from an estate. I bought this painting based on the condition without knowing who the artist is. After figuring out the signature I learned that this is a wonderful scarce work of russian born, california and taos artist, theodore nadejan. For those not familiar with the artist, I have included his biography below. This is a wonderful still life view of flowers. Oil on canvas measuring 20 5/8 x 23 1/4 inches. Excellent condition with thick layered paint. A layer of surface grime. I was going to have this painting cleaned but I always believe most owners like to have their own restorer do the work. Signed and dated lower right. Original period frame is complimentary and ready to hang. Just a great presentation of this outstanding scarce work. Frame measures 23 1/2 x 26 3/8 inches.

For those not familiar with the artist his biography from askart reads:”Born in Russia, Theodore Nadejen ran away from home at age 13 and went to sea where he served in the Russian Imperial Volunteer Navy and became a captain. During this time, he studied at the Royal Academy of Art, and then fled during the 1917 Revolution to New York City. He worked as a stage designer and painted in his leisure time. In the 1920s, Nadejen settled in Los Angeles and married Ida Zeitlin, an author, and illustrated three books of which the best known is “Skazie.” In the 1940s, he traveled to New Mexico including Taos where he did paintings of the Native Americans. He died in Los Angeles. ”