Description:

STEPAN ERZIA (RUSSIAN 1876-1959)
Head of a Woman, ca. 1939
ferroconcrete on a wooden base
Height : 32 cm (12 1/2 in.) Width: 19 cm (7 1/2 in.) Deep: 19 cm (7 1/2 in.) Base: H 9 x W 18 x D 17 cm (3 1/2 x 7 x 6 3/4 in.)

LOT NOTES
Stepan Dmitrievich Erzia, born Stepan Nefyodov on October 27, 1876, in Bayevo, Simbirsk Governorate, Russia, was a distinguished sculptor of Erzya Mordvin descent. He adopted "Erzia" as his artistic pseudonym to honor his ethnic heritage.

Erzia's artistic journey began with apprenticeships in icon-painting studios in Alatyr and Kazan between 1892 and 1897. During this period, he decorated churches throughout the Volga region and attended the Kazan Art School. From 1902 to 1906, he studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he participated in student exhibitions.

Between 1906 and 1914, Erzia lived in Italy and France, immersing himself in European art scenes. He showcased his work at exhibitions in Venice and Milan in 1909 and in Paris in 1912. During this time, he created notable pieces such as "Melancholy" (1908), "The Last Night" (1909), and "The Stone Age" (1911).

Returning to Russia in 1914, Erzia continued to develop his craft. In the early 1920s, he began experimenting with wood sculpture, favoring rare subtropical species like quebracho, algarrobo, and urunday. The unique textures and rich palettes of these woods allowed him to realize ambitious artistic visions, blending natural forms with meticulously polished surfaces.

In 1926, the Soviet government sent Erzia abroad to promote Soviet art. After a brief stay in Paris, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1927, where he resided until 1950. During his time in Argentina, Erzia created portraits of prominent figures such as Lenin, Moses, Tolstoy, and Beethoven. He also proposed an ambitious project to transform entire mountains in the Andes into monuments honoring heroes of Argentina's independence - a plan that, despite approval, was never realized due to funding issues.

Erzia returned to the Soviet Union in 1950, bringing with him approximately 300 works of art. In 1954, a significant exhibition of his sculptures was held in Moscow, marking a highlight of his later career. In recognition of his contributions to art, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in 1956.

Stepan Erzia passed away on November 24, 1959, in Moscow. He was laid to rest in Saransk, the capital of Mordovia. In his honor, the Mordovian Erzia Museum of Visual Arts was established in Saransk on June 26, 1958, housing the most comprehensive collection of his works, totaling 204 pieces.

Erzia's legacy endures through his innovative techniques and profound artistic expressions, which continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

Keywords: Russian art, Argentinean art, Sculpture

N.B. Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

- All items must be paid for before they can be released.
- For shipments to domestic and international locations, while we do not ship directly, we can recommend some shippers who are local to us, and can pick-up your items from our office with your authorization. Please see a list of recommended shippers below.
- Clients are free to choose their own shippers, and these recommendations are provided only for convenience. We will not accept liability for any recommendations of shippers.
- The purchaser is responsible for insuring their items in transit. Once items have been picked-up or released to a shipper, they are no longer covered under our insurance.
- Payment for shipment and arrangements for shipment, must be made with the shipper directly. Please feel free to ask for competitive shipment quotes pre or post-auction by referring to the auction date and lot number, when contacting the recommended shippers.

For regular shipments:
- UPS Store Mt. Kisco, tel. (914) 666-4336, email: [email protected]
- Katonah Shipping, Tel. (914) 232-1500, email: [email protected]
- DG Moving Services (Dennis), Tel. +1 (914) 433-9764, email: [email protected]
- ArtFira Shipping (Alex), Tel. +1 (917) 573-5688, email: [email protected]
- Global Transit Group (Rostislav), Tel. +1 (718) 449-1971, email: [email protected]
- The Packengers, email: [email protected]

For larger items, art shuttles, and anything requiring wooden crates or specialized art transport:
- Atelier 4: +1 (718) 433-3500, email: [email protected]
- Cadogan Tate Fine Art: +1 (718) 706-7999, email: [email protected]
- Arrow Express: +1 (888) 829-2122, web contact: https://www.arrowexpress.com/contact-us/ (https://www.arrowexpress.com/contact-us/) (10% Discount for all Shapiro Auctions Clients)

For local van and truck deliveries in New York City, New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Florida Shuttles:
- DG Moving Services (Dennis), Tel. +1 (914) 433-9764, email: [email protected]
- ASAP ETC INC (John), +1 (914) 381-6421 email: [email protected]
- Crossroads Delivery (Arthur), +1 (917) 807-3758, email: [email protected]
- ArtWay Fine Art Services (Lenny), +1 (718) 213-6886 email: [email protected]

To pick-up your items in person:
Please call us at +1 (212) 717-7500 to make an appointment to pick up your items in person. If someone else whose name is not on the invoice will be picking up on your behalf, please email or fax us authorizing us to release your property to that person. Payment for all items must have been received and cleared, before merchandise can be released. Taxes must be paid on all items picked up in person, unless you present a valid resale certificate, or a common shipment courier is collecting for shipment out of state and can provide a bill of lading or a airwaybill number.

April 19, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Bedford Hills, NY, US

Shapiro Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $999,999:
25.00%
$1,000,000 - $4,499,999:
20.00%
$4,500,000+:
13.90%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000