June of 1941. Soviet painter Boris Ugarov (1922 – 1991)

“Art today – not only the scope of creativity, but also a field of intense ideological struggle” – these words belong to the Soviet painter Boris Ugarov. The life and career of Ugarov connected to the city on the Neva, and his pedagogical talent and expertise of more than 30 years were given to the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture named after Ilya Repin. Boris S. Ugarov – one of the leading artists of the country, author of the famous epic canvases devoted to turning, the key moments of life of the USSR. Boris Sergeyevich Ugarov (1922 – 1991) – Ph.D., teacher, professor, President of the USSR Academy of Arts (1983-1991). Academician of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1978, Corresponding Member of 1973), People’s Artist of the USSR (1982), laureate of USSR State Prize (1985) and the RSFSR State Prize of Repin (1976). Member of the CPSU since 1983.
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Soviet artist Vasily Svarog (5 March 1883 – 31 December 1946). 1st of May. Watercolor. 1937

Soviet artist Vasily Svarog, real name Vasily Semyonovich Korochkin (5 March 1883 – 31 December 1946), was born in the city of Staraya Russa of Novgorod province (now the Novgorod region) in a peasant family. Aged two, he lost his father, and his mother was engaged in education of children. The desire to draw appeared in the early age. Noticing it, his art teacher Chistyakov collected money among residents of the city Staraya Russa so that the talented child could continue his art education. In 1896, at the age of thirteen, Vasily Semenovich enters the Central School of Technical Drawing of Stieglitz in St. Petersburg, and four years later he successfully completes it. His pseudonym “Svarog” was given to him during the school years.
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Painting by Soviet artist Alexandr Gerasimov (1881-1963). “I.V. Stalin and K.E. Voroshilov in the Kremlin”. 1938. The State Tretyakov Gallery

The ideological meaning of a huge canvas “I. Stalin and K. Voroshilov in the Kremlin” had to be disclosed clearly and intelligibly to every Soviet citizen. The forward-gaze of Stalin and Voroshilov read strength and unbending will of the Bolshevik – each spectator could see that the guard of the Soviet people are creative socialist labor party, the Soviet government and tested in battle, the Red Army. The ideological plan initially emphasized even verbally: the picture was called “On guard of peace.” Peaceful work in the picture is actually present. Moscow is built, as well as the whole country, and is growing Soviet Fatherland. For the painting, Alexandr Gerasimov got Stalin Prize in 1941. Soviet artist Alexandr Gerasimov (1881-1963) – architect and art theorist, teacher, professor, Doctor of Arts (1951), the first president of the USSR Academy of Arts in 1947-1957, respectively, Academician of the USSR Academy of Arts (1947), People’s Artist of the USSR (1943). Winner of four Stalin Prizes (1941, 1943, 1946, 1949). Member of the CPSU (b) since 1950.
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Soviet artist Vasily Hitrikov (1922-1987). Lenin at III congress of Komsomol. Ukrainian Republican art exhibition dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Komsomol

Soviet artist Vasily Hitrikov (1922-1987) – People’s Artist of USSR (1977). Vasily Hitrik was born January 12, 1922 in the city of Ekaterinoslav, now Dnepropetrovsk. From 1937 to 1941 he studied at the Dnepropetrovsk Art College. In 1950 he graduated from the Kiev Art Institute (workshop of AG Petritsky). He worked in easel painting. Major works: “V. Lenin at the Third Congress of the Komsomol” (1952), “A Conversation with Ilyich” (1957), “Lenin Appeal” (1960), “The native hut” (1964), a series of portraits “Contemporary” (1968-1980), “Creativity” (1970), “We are peaceful people” (1977), and others. Vasily Hitrikov was a member of art exhibitions: Republican – since 1952, all-Union – 1954 (Exhibition of Fine Arts of the Ukrainian SSR, dedicated to the tercentenary of the reunification of Ukraine with Russia, the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow), foreign – since 1958.
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Soviet artist Pavel Korin. Portrait of Marshal Georgy Zhukov. 1945. Oil on canvas. State Tretyakov Gallery

Soviet artist Pavel Korin wanted to “reflect the rebellious, proud spirit of our people.” And he painted landscapes of his native Palekh, portraits of unknown and famous people, without tiring to look at the fate of their manifestations of the “spirit of folk.” Among these works a special place occupies “Portrait of Marshal Zhukov” (1945). Moreover, even the creation of this painting began during the Great Patriotic War, when Korin painted triptych “Alexander Nevsky”, worthy of a place in the museum. The reproduction of “Alexander Nevsky” decorated front-line dugout of soldiers. Huge copy of the “Alexander”, made by a group of soldiers who stormed the ancient Novgorod, has been installed at its entrance. Soldiers were leaving for the West, and the legendary Russian commander called them to fight for the freedom. Thus, the art contributed to the victory.
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Soviet artist Valery Pimenov. Before the attack. 1965. The Central Museum of VI Lenin. Leningrad branch

Soviet artist Valery Pimenov (February 15, 1920 – February 28, 2008) – author of historical and revolutionary paintings, portraits, landscapes. In 1971, Pimenov was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR, and in 1994 the title of People’s Artist of Russia. He was a member of the St. Petersburg Union of Artists (before 1992 – the Leningrad branch of the Union of Artists of the RSFSR). In 1936 he entered the factory of M. Gelts in Leningrad, where he soon became a master-engraver of the highest qualification. Working at the plant, Pimenov studied in art studio of the Palace of Culture of Kirov, which led Brodsky and Kopeykin. Pimenov began to show his work at art exhibitions, and two of them – “Meeting tankers” and “Deeds of Heroes” – exhibited at the All-Union “Defense of the USSR” exhibition (1940).
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Soviet propaganda textile art. M. Khvostenko. Walking pioneers. End of 1920 – 1930s

Soviet propaganda textile art – Art born of revolution. Great October Socialist Revolution has stimulated the development of all types of art and had a strong impact on the textile decoration. Total inspiration of artists with future perspective expressed in an effort to convey ideas and time lines to each worker. Hundreds of thousands of meters of fabrics were decorated with images of massive five-pointed stars, airplanes, locomotives, power masts, electric bulbs. Subjects not met before in the textile illustration and keen compositional solution dramatically isolated new pattern among traditional decorative products. It was noticeable, attracted attention, gave food for thought and even disputes. It was, as they say, socially active. Drawings of this trend came to be called propaganda textiles, or “agit-textile”. Today it has taken rightful place in the history of Soviet art.
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