16. Elevation (from The Sailor cycle) [1930]

The composition "Elevation" from the 'Marinaio' (Sailor) cycle is extremely characteristic of the work of Nikolai Dyulgerov – one of the world-renowned names in Futurism. Most of the artist's life was spent in Italy, within the circle of Italian futurists and the ideologist of the movement, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, who visited Bulgaria several times thanks to his acquaintance with Dyulgerov. Nikolai Dyulgerov is among the innovators in the field of abstraction, collages with polymaterials, interior design using aluminum, Futurist and rationalist architecture. He contributed to the creation and theorization of a new direction – aeropainting, which explores the flight of airplanes. "Elevation" is a geometrically dynamic composition entirely in the spirit of the movement, which elevates the cold aesthetics and the power of the machine to a cult status. The forms are clear, geometrized, and constructivist. There is no unnecessary detailing or imitation of nature. In this semi-abstract landscape, we discern clouds, a part of a machine, a sphere, and a fragment of a human leg from an ancient sculpture. The composition has a strong decorative and scenographic impact, energized by the powerful circular movement of the forms, achieved through the use of concentric arches and wavy lines in a clear constructive system. The overall effect of rhythmic harmony is achieved by immersion in blue, green, and gray tones, with sparse orange accents. The painting 'Rising' by Nikolai Dyulgerov stands out with high artistic qualities and is emblematic of the artist's work and the style of Futurism on a European scale. It once again interprets the theme of rising and diving into the clouds, plunging into the depths of the sea, and the remnants of past eras found at the bottom. The alternation of rising and diving is a key algorithm in his work. It reflects the search for contrast between the clouds and the depths of the sea, between the forgotten past and the challenges of the future. And it is the human being who is the explorer, conquering the forces of nature thanks to the technological power of the machine. These very qualities make the composition 'Rising' representative of the principles of Futurism. (S.N.)

References

Milev, Geo. On Nikolay Dyulgerov and Cubism. – More, 1924, No. 2._x000D_ Rainov, Nikolay. On the exhibition of Nikolay Dyulgerov in Sofia. – Plamuk, S., 1924, No. 4._x000D_ Bozhkov, Atanas. Bulgarian contributions to European civilization. Bulvest, S., 2000._x000D_ Georgieva, Emilia. Futurism in the art of Nikolay Dyulgerov, Sofia: Bulgarian Artist, 2005.

Dimensions

width 32 cm, height 47.5 cm, custom 47,5 × 32 cm

Description

tempera on cardboard, signed bottom left, in black, "Diulgheroff"

Lot.notes

signed, titled, dated, numbered and technique on the back, in black, "Diulgheroff, dal ciclo "Marinaio", 1930, tempera su cartone, P.E.T.A"; on the back label from the artist's studio

Dating

1930

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