Konstantin Makovsky's Ivan Susanin (1914) will headline a sale of Russian art at Sotheby's London on November 24 with a £1.5m-2.5m ($2.4m-4m) estimate.
Susanin is a Russian folk hero who lived during the 17th century.
 Ivan Susanin is said to have saved the life of a young Mikhail Romanov |
He is alleged to have saved the life of a young Mikhail Romanov, founder of the Romanov dynasty, by leading a band of assassins into a deep forest.
Makovsky depicts the scene where, realising they had been tricked, they torture and kill Susanin before perishing in the cold.
Makovsky (1839-1915) is associated with an influential group of Russian artists known as The Wanderers, who broke with the formal tradition of academy art - choosing ordinary people as their subjects.
They would later serve as a major influence on the Soviet realists.
Boris Kustodiev's Bakhchisarai (1917) is another highlight with a valuation of £1.2m-1.8m ($1.9m-2.9m).
 Bakhchisarai is a city in Crimea |
Kustodiev (1878-1927) worked predominantly as an illustrator. He was a strong supporter of the 1905 revolution and his work became hugely popular in its aftermath.
Sotheby's describe it as "without doubt the most impressive and exciting pre-revolutionary painting by Kustodiev to come to light in recent memory."
We have a fascinating selection of art and photography memorabilia available, click here to take a look.
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about art and antiques auctions.
