Antinous, Models Series, by Olga Tobreluts, 2003 Version.

Antinous, from the Models series by Olga Tobreluts. Image conceived in 1995, 2003 version.
 
Born in 1970 near Leningrad, Olga Tobreluts is a pioneer of Russian digital art and a leading figure of St Petersburg Neo-Academism, the movement that grew around Timur Novikov's New Academy in the 1990s.
 
In the Models series, she digitally transforms ancient statues into fashion models. Antinous, the favourite of Emperor Hadrian, wears a royal blue Lacoste sweater, with the word “LACOSTE” under the crocodile. The vivid colours echo the original polychromy of Greek sculpture, in a spirit close to Pierre et Gilles or David LaChapelle.
 
Works from the series are held by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Ludwig Museum in Budapest and the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg. The series was shown at GES-2 in Moscow in 2025-2026. This blue Lacoste version differs from the museum version, which is turquoise and inscribed “ANTINOUS”.
 
Mixed media: digital print with high-gloss lacquer. Original black box frame with gold fillet.
 
Provenance: Galerie Orel Art, Paris, 2003, the artist's gallery; private collection; Drouot auction, 2026. Sold with the Orel Art gallery certificate of authenticity.
 
Condition: very good condition.
 
Size: 56 × 80 cm
 

 
See also: 1990s design