The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Sleeping Figure

c. 1909–1912

Robert Rafailovich Falk

(Russian, 1886–1958)
Russia, early 20th century
oil on canvas
Unframed: 99.1 x 121.9 cm (39 x 48 in.)
Bequest of Dr. Paul J. Vignos Jr. 2011.72
Location: 223 20th Century Avant-Garde

Did You Know?

The sitter in this painting may be the artist's first wife, Elizaveta Sergheyevna Potekhina, who was also an artist.

Description

This painting by the Russian Jewish artist Robert Rafailovich Falk combines the brilliant hues of the Fauves, who used color for expressive purposes, and the simplification and structure of the Cubists, whose subjects were analyzed, broken up, and reassembled in abstract forms. Falk was a founding member of the Moscow avant-garde artists’ group, Knave of Diamonds, who sought to bring the influence of modern French styles together with the traditions of Russian folk art and popular prints.
  • 1968
    (Leonard Hutton Galleries, New York, NY, 1968, sold to Dr. Paul J. Vignos, Jr.)
    1968-2011
    Dr. Paul J. Vignos, Jr. [1919-2010] Gates Mills, OH, by bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2011-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Leonard Hutton Galleries. Fauves and Expressionists. New York, NY: Leonard Hutton Galleries, 1968.
    Werner, Alfred. "Explosions of Color at Hutton." Arts Magazine, 42 (May 1968):37-39. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 37-39
  • {{cite web|title=Sleeping Figure|url=false|author=Robert Rafailovich Falk|year=c. 1909–1912|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2011.72