Model

According to the artist wife's diary, Victor began painting nudes in 1890 after their move to Moscow from Lubanovo. His wife Nadia would choose the models and in her words:

'I always took it to myself to find a model for Victor. However I had to subdue my inner feelings of some kind of embarrassment, doubt and even jealousy at the thought that I am leaving my husband alone with a nude model!!- But Victor never closed the door to his studio when he was working and often asked me to be present and distract the model or amuse her by reading something aloud to help her keep certain expressions or poses.  His paintings were magnificent and were easily sold at the exhibitions held twice a year...in the Spring and in the Fall.'

This is a charcoal on paper drawing and clearly marked as 1894 and Stember's signature on the lower right corner.