Soviet Art

The Story of the Mother. 1985. Painting by Soviet artist Alexandr Nikanorovich Alimasov (2 February 1935 – 8 February 2011)

Soviet artist Alexandr Nikanorovich Alimasov

Born 2 February 1935 in the village of Ermolkino of Bashkir ASSR, Alexander Nikonorovich Alimasov dreamed to become an artist since childhood. Interestingly, in the family all the children were keen on drawing. First, the boy studied at the Cheboksary Art College (1956-1961), where his teachers were I.T. Grigorieva, M.F. Kharitonov, P.M.Ermolaeva, and V.C.Turin.
Then, after graduation, Alimasov works as a teacher of drawing in a secondary school in Cheboksary. Also, in the period of 1962-1974 he worked as an artist-director of the Cheboksary television studio. In all, he took part in the production of 60 television performances. At the same time, he collaborated with the Chuvash publishing house and issued several dozen books. In addition, he graduated from the Art and Graphic Department of the Chuvash State Pedagogical Institute (1974). He worked as a teacher of the Department of Fine Arts (1974-1977) in his native institute, and then taught at the Cheboksary Art College (1977-1995).
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Returning from the field. 1968. Hardboard, gesso. Perm Art Gallery. Painting by Soviet Russian artist Viktor Trofimovich Ni (December 10, 1934, Vladivostok – December 6, 1979, Tyumen)

Soviet Russian artist Viktor Trofimovich Ni

Born in Vladivostok, far east of the USSR, Viktor Trofimovich Ni was Korean by birth. He graduated from the Penza Art College of K.A. Savitsky (1953-1958). Then, studied in the studio of the famous Soviet artist Dmitry Zhilinsky at the Moscow State Art Institute of Surikov (1958-1964). After graduation, in 1964 he moved to Orenburg and taught at the art department of the Orenburg Musical College (1975-1979).
Member of the Union of Artists of the RSFSR (1969), Viktor Ni was a regular participant of republican and foreign exhibitions of Soviet Art. He loved and studied the art of old masters (Leonardo, Vermeer, Cranach, Rublev, Dionysius), and the Italian Early Renaissance. Among Soviet artists, he appreciated Arkady Plastov and Pavel Korin, and from the art of the East – Japanese engraving.
Meanwhile, his main works include 15 canvases. Among them – “Seeing Off” 1969, “Return from the Field” 1969, “Crew of the Local Line” 1973, “Summer” 1978, and “Combiners” 1979. In addition, he repeatedly addressed to the theme of the Great Patriotic War (“Seeing off”, “1941” 1969, Liberation 1973, “Return, 1945” 1970, The soldier returned from the war, 1979). In the paintings devoted to the war, Ni never portrayed fights and deaths, but sought a poetic, song, and emotional plot.
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A village. 1965. Oil on cardboard. From the collection of State Art museum of Tatarstan, Russia. Painting by Soviet artist Alexey Avdeyevich Anikeenok

Soviet artist Alexey Avdeyevich Anikeenok

Born in Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo) in 1925, Alexey Avdeyevich Anikeenok (3.07.1925 – May 22, 1984) – Soviet artist, veteran of WWII. After a serious injury he arrived in Kazan, where his mother was in the evacuation. In Kazan he received an art education, and began his creative career. Artist of the 60’s, he represented informal painters, discovered impressionists, was fascinated by Van Gogh, and yet – not an imitator: he was looking for his own way. Straight, freedom-loving, he tried to prove his truth and his creative solvency. He was unbending. As a result, silence and isolation were waiting for him. Very often he used to earn for living playing the saxophone in the Kazan cinema and in restaurants. Besides, he was friends with Oleg Lundstrem, who at that time lived in Kazan.
Meanwhile, after the persecution of the Kazan authorities, deprived of his workshop, he had to leave Kazan and move to Pskov (1969).
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The image from the popular in the USSR magazine ‘Soviet Screen’, 1957. Soviet Latvian actress Dzidra Ritenberga. (August 29, 1928 – March 9, 2003)

Soviet Latvian actress Dzidra Ritenberga
Born August 29, 1928 in Latvia, Soviet Latvian actress, film director Dzidra Arturovna Ritenberga was the winner of the prize of the Venice Film Festival for the performance of the main role in the film “Malva” directed by Vladimir Braun (1957).
She graduated from the Liepaja evening high school, the studio of the State Drama Theater and the director’s department of the theatrical faculty of the Latvian State Conservatoire (1974).
She was an actress of the Liepaja Drama Theater (1948-1957), the Riga Theater of Russian Drama (1957-1962), and the Moscow Drama Theater of KS Stanislavsky (1962-1975). And later, Director of the Riga Film Studio (1975-1990).
Member of the Union of Cinematographers of Latvian SSR since 1958. Honored Artist of the Latvian SSR (1960).
Was married to the actor Evgeny Urbansky, tragically died on November 5, 1965 on the shooting of the film “Director”. After his death, she gave birth to her daughter Yevgenia.
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Outgoing summer. 1979. Painting by Soviet Russian artist Yan Yulianovich Kryzhevsky (born 1948)

Soviet Russian artist Yan Yulianovich Kryzhevsky

Born April 8, 1948 in Ufa, the Bashkir ASSR, Kryzhevsky – Member of the USSR Union of Artists (1975). First, he studied at the Ufa Art College, and then tried to receive his art knowledge in the Latvian Academy of Arts of E. Zalkaln (In 1970-1972). However, expelled from the Academy, he did not finish studies. Nevertheless, he began his creative activity in 1973, taken part in the exhibition of Soviet Art. And not in vain. In particular, for the work “New Day”, shown in the Central Exhibition Hall (1976, Moscow) he received the first prize of the All-Union Exhibition of Young Artists. In addition, he became a Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize (1976) for his paintings “Ufa Horizons”, and “White and Blue Day”.
Since 1977, he worked mostly in Vologda until 1988. Chairman of the youth section of the Vologda branch of the RSFSR Union of Artists, he initiated the opening the club of young artists in Vologda. Also, he organized the art exhibitions of young artists in Petrozavodsk (1978), Arkhangelsk (1980), Leningrad, and Ufa. As well as Estonian artists in Vologda (1979-80). Kryzhevsky actively took part in the regional, all-Union and foreign exhibitions of Soviet art. And the foreign exhibitions included Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, Romania, Germany, Mongolia, France, and Italy.
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Left – Evgeny Danilovich Agranovich (October 13, 1918 – January 29, 2010) Soviet poet and bard, right – Soviet actor Mikhail Nozhkin. I am in the spring forest – the Soviet anthem of refugees

I am in the spring forest – the Soviet anthem of refugees

With the song performed by Mikhail Nozhkin immediately fell in love all the Soviet people. Simple in execution, emotional, tragic and in the spirit of the time it sounded everywhere. Besides, the emigrant theme in Russia is steadily relevant and popular. Only the nuances change. As they say, history teaches people little. In the 21st century, wars on the planet are inflaming with renewed vigor. And now “I am in the spring forest” can sing refugees from different countries as a kind of anthem.
“I am in the spring forest” – sung on behalf of a man forced to leave his homeland and hesitant to go back. In the Soviet Union, there was the notion of “Soviet displaced persons,” that is, Soviet citizens who were in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) outside the USSR. Basically, these were people whom the fascists forced to work in Europe. Among them were prisoners of war and accomplices of the Germans who retired with whole families from the USSR.
In 1944-1952 there was a repatriation, that is, the return of displaced persons to their homeland. Theoretically, civilians and prisoners of war were to restore citizenship without any persecution. But in practice, many fell into camps, fines, experienced various infringements of rights and freedoms in civil life. Therefore, it was not a simple and pleasant affair for every displaced Soviet citizen to return home. These sad moments of our history are reflected in the song “I’m in the spring forest”.
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Composer Dmitry Shostakovich (25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975). Outstanding figures of Soviet art Heroes of Socialist Labor

Outstanding figures of Soviet art Heroes of Socialist Labor
This publication features the outstanding figures of Soviet art – theater, music, ballet, cinema, and fine arts – awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. Established by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR eighty years ago – on December 27, 1938 – the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, the highest degree of labor difference, was appropriated to Soviet people for particularly outstanding services contributing to the rise of the national economy. They are people of science and culture who selflessly served their homeland. They brought the glory to the USSR with their skill and talent.
Of course, it’s impossible to talk about each of them in one publication. However, I want to begin with Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich. He was a brilliant composer-symphonist, a unique artist-communist, who possessed an exceptional musical-figurative skill. Doctor of Arts, Professor, an outstanding public figure, he was a People’s Artist USSR – the people in the full meaning of this word. An innovative musician, who expanded the boundaries of the use of musical expressive means. At the same time, he is the direct heir of Russian classical musical genius. It was in this capacity that he received world recognition.
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