Plato Cornelius Ustinov (1903-1990) - Autoportrait

Self-portrait of Plato Cornelius Ustinov (1903–1990)
Lot Description:
An intriguing self-portrait by Plato Cornelius Ustinov is proposed, a work that testifies to the talent and artistic path of an eclectic author deeply linked to the European tradition of the early twentieth century. Dated 1937, the work 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 noble, 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 formative path reflects the cultural openness typical of Europe’s 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 enabled him to develop a rigorous and versatile style, which led him to relocate to Canada in 1927.

In Vancouver, Ustinov became a prominent figure in the local art scene, standing out as a teacher of painting and drawing from life at the Vancouver School of Art. His career was dotted 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.

In addition to painting, Ustinov always cultivated technical and artisanal interests — he worked during the war in the metallurgical sector — which enriched his formal sensibility, often directed at the representation of the human figure and everyday reality with an analytic 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, underscoring the family connection between the artist and the famous actor.

The frame, if visible in the photo, 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, due to 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 may 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 collected by the authorities of your country at delivery. I advise you to inform yourself in advance to avoid surprises. Alternatively, if you have the possibility, personal pickup in Geneva is the option I prefer and strongly recommend, as it will eliminate shipping costs and ensure maximum security for the artwork. If shipment is chosen, I will do my best to package the painting to protect it during transit.