Pen & Ink original drawing, thought to be based on the Russian novel “Kotlovan” by Andrea Platonov.
Not Dated
17″ x 23.5″
“Kolya” is tattooed on the arm of one of the crushed workers. It is thought to be a reference to Stalin’s notorious “Gulags” or labor camps as it was common for “inmates” to have their name tattooed on their body. Of note is that Platonov’s teenage son was sent to the Gulag for unknown reasons. It’s reputed that he was released after contracting tuberculosis and sent home. Platonov died at the age of 51 of tuberculosis, which he supposedly contracted from his son. Stalin was still in power.