Russian Art From Soviet Era

Russian Impressionists 
A.M.Gerasimov (1881-1963) and S.V.Gerasimov (1885-1964)

An exhibition from the series Russian Impressionists 
"A.M.Gerasimov and S.V.Gerasimov" is open in Shishkin Gallery.
The exhibition contains 25 paintings of two most famous artists of Soviet Era
from private collections of Moscow and Saint-Petersburg. Some of them have never been
demonstrated before.

The names of Alexander Gerasimov and Sergei Gerasimov for Soviet art mean the same
as the names of Roubens and Rembrandt for European Art of the 17th century. They are two
main figures representing two ideological poles of the epoch - conservatism and liberalism, establishment
and opposition. 

They were namesakes, almost coevals and classmates (at the famous Moscow School for painting, sculpture
and architecture), students of great Russian impressionists K.Korovin and A.Archipov. They simultaneously
entered the life of Russian art and stood at the craddle of Soviet painting.
In 1943 they both received the rank of National Artist of USSR and were elected 
full members of The academy of arts of USSR getting high governmental awards. They were quite
famous during their lives being high-rate professionals who absorbed best traditions of Russian Impressionist
school of 19th century.

But, their lives being very similar, still they joined different ideological movements.
At the very beginning, A.Gerasimov was closer to the "peredvizhniks" while S.Gerasimov prefered
the society "Mir Iskusstva".
A.Gerasimov enetered the Association of the Artists of revolutionalry Russia 
(official organization, the basis for the future Union of Artists of USSR) already in 1925,
while S.Gerasimov became its member only in 1930, perhaps under pressing of authorities.
    
S.Gerasimov liked political games and intrigues, always strived to be in high
official circles, was fond of luxury and fame. S.Gerasimov, on the contrary, prefered
loneliness and "pure art".

Since the late 1930-s, A.Gerasimov started his great career, worked at important official
orders, received four Stalin premiums and Lenin award. In 1947 when The Academy of Arts was
recreated, Stalin suggested he could become its president.

S.Gerasimov eventually became the leader of opposition in art society. He wasn't so busy in
political problems so he could pay more attention to work and he worked a lot and left great
art heritage. He also proved to be a very talanted illustrator and teacher (he taught at Surikov Institute).

Now not their political positions but their paintings are important. And since their works deserve very high evaluation
they are united at one exhibition at Shishkin Gallery.

The exhibition is open every day except Sunday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. until July, 30 at Shishkin Gallery. 

Address: 29/14, bld.1, Neglinnaya st., Moscow
Phone: (095)200-3510, 200-1951
Fax: (095)200-3629
E-mail: lshishkin@mail.ru

Leonid Shishkin
http://www.shishkin-gallery.ru
webmaster@kontorakuka.ru

You can find more information about Russian art from Soviet era 
on Leonid Shishkin Gallery site:
http://www.shishkin-gallery.ru