Plato Cornelius Ustinov (1903-1990) - Autoportrait

Self-portrait of Plato Cornelius Ustinov (1903–1990)
Description of the lot:
We propose a fascinating self-portrait by Plato Cornelius Ustinov, a work that testifies to the talent and artistic path of an eclectic author deeply connected to the European tradition of the early twentieth century. The work, dated 1937, reveals an introspective sensibility and a technical mastery typical of the artist's academic training.

Biographical Note of the Artist
Plato Cornelius Ustinov (1903–1990), often known as "Tonchik", was born in Jerusalem into a distinguished, internationally minded family. Son of Baron Plato Grigorievich von Ustinov and a member of the famous Ustinov family (uncle of actor Sir Peter Ustinov), Plato grew up in a lively intellectual environment.

His educational path reflects a cultural openness typical of the European elite of the era: he studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Art in Stuttgart and later at the École Spéciale d'Architecture in Paris. This solid background allowed him to develop a rigorous and versatile style, which led him to move to Canada in 1927.

In Vancouver, Ustinov became a prominent figure in the local art scene, distinguishing himself as a teacher of painting and drawing from life at the Vancouver School of Art. His career was filled with successes: he was a member of the B.C. Society of Fine Arts (of which he was president from 1951 to 1953) and of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1935 he was awarded the prestigious Beatrice Stone Medal for the quality of his work, confirming himself as one of the brightest talents of the region.

Beyond painting, Ustinov always cultivated technical and artisanal interests — working during the war in the metallurgical sector — which enriched his formal sensibility, often directed towards the representation of the human figure and everyday reality with an analytical and deep eye.

Details of the work
Author: Plato Cornelius Ustinov (1903-1990)
Subject: Self-portrait
Year: 1937
Provenance: The work bears a label on the back indicating a gift to Sir Peter Ustinov from Doris and Henri Alko, underlining the familial connection between the artist and the famous actor.

If the frame is visible in the photo, it is included in the lot as a pure gift from me and is not part of the sale; it does not determine the value, and, given its delicacy, it is not insured. Consequently, any defects already present on the frame are not reported, and any damage to it during transport will not be considered for claims or returns.

Notes on shipping and customs
The item will be shipped from Geneva, Switzerland. For this reason, delivery times to European Union countries might be slightly longer than usual due to standard customs procedures.

I also remind you that, since Switzerland is outside the EU customs area, import duties, local VAT and customs charges are the sole responsibility of the buyer and will be requested by the authorities of your country upon delivery. I suggest you inform yourself in advance to avoid surprises. Alternatively to shipping, if you have the possibility, personal pickup in Geneva is always the option I prefer and strongly recommend, as it will allow you to eliminate transport costs and ensure maximum safety for the artwork. If shipping is chosen, I will do my best to pack it to protect the painting during transit.