La cité d'Alexandre Roubakine 1920

This rare and important 1920 complete suite of eight lithographs by Natalia Goncharova, titled La cité d’Alexandre Roubakine, is a remarkable example of Russian avant-garde graphic experimentation from the early twentieth century.

Printed on fine China paper, the series reflects Goncharova’s highly distinctive visual language, combining Cubist fragmentation, Futurist dynamism, theatrical composition, and decorative abstraction. The lithographs present a sequence of stylized urban and interior scenes populated by geometric forms, architectural motifs, elegant figures, and rhythmic compositions that evoke both modernity and poetic imagination.

Each lithograph functions as an autonomous composition while contributing to the overall visual coherence of the suite. The images alternate between abstraction and representation, creating a rich interplay of movement, pattern, and atmosphere. Angular perspectives, dramatic contrasts, and ornamental linework reveal the artist’s fascination with modern urban culture and avant-garde stage aesthetics.

Natalia Goncharova was one of the central figures of the Russian avant-garde and among the most influential female artists of the twentieth century. Alongside Mikhail Larionov, she played a decisive role in the development of Russian Futurism and Rayonism before later establishing an important international career in Paris. Her work encompassed painting, illustration, costume design, theatre decoration, and printmaking, constantly blending Russian folk traditions with radical modernist innovation.

This suite belongs to the fertile artistic period following Goncharova’s move to Paris, where she became deeply involved in theatre, ballet, and literary illustration. The title La cité d’Alexandre Roubakine suggests a poetic or literary inspiration, while the imagery itself reflects the sophisticated visual experimentation characteristic of European modernism during the interwar years.

Graphically, the lithographs demonstrate Goncharova’s extraordinary mastery of black-and-white composition. Through strong contrasts, fractured forms, and carefully orchestrated rhythms, she creates images that feel simultaneously architectural and theatrical. The use of China paper further enhances the delicacy and richness of the printed surface.

The complete set is particularly desirable, as suites of avant-garde lithographs are far rarer to encounter intact than individual sheets separated over time. Beyond their historical importance, the works possess exceptional decorative and intellectual appeal, bridging fine art, graphic design, and literary modernism.

Today, Natalia Goncharova’s works are highly sought after by collectors and institutions worldwide for their pivotal role in the history of modern art. La cité d’Alexandre Roubakine stands as a sophisticated and visually compelling example of Russian avant-garde printmaking at its most inventive and refined.

Original Lithograph

Literature

Complete set of eight lithographs on China paper

Very good condition