Soviet Art

Maya Plisetskaya posing in the workshop of Soviet Sculptor Elena Yanson-Manizer (1890-1971)

Soviet Sculptor Elena Yanson-Manizer

Elena Yanson-Manizer (1890-1971) – Soviet sculptor and artist, wife of Soviet sculptor Matvey Manizer. She worked in the style of miniature sculpture, portraits, monumental and decorative reliefs, medals, and easel composition. However, her favorite theme – the dance. She created a series (1934-1937) of the seven sculptures on the theme of the ballet “Swan Lake”, “The Fountain of Bakhchisarai”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Egyptian Nights” and others.
She has created a series of figurines for the Leningrad Porcelain Factory (1950). Among them – “Giray sitting”, “Giray with a cloak”, “Zarema with the mirror”, “Zarema with dagger”, “Maria with a scarf,” and “Maria sitting.” Part of made in china figurines was later repeated in the iron. Besides, such sculptures as “Zarema – Kaminska ballerina”, “Maya Plisetskaya dancing Persian dance”, and “Spaniard with a Fan” were replicated with great success in late 1950s-1980s.
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Space theme, 1975. Soviet poster artist Evgeny Kazhdan (1922-1984)

Soviet poster artist Evgeny Kazhdan

Evgeny Kazhdan – Member of the USSR Union of Artists (1965), member of the USSR Union of Journalists (1971), and Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1977). In addition, he is the owner of numerous awards and gold medals at the international exhibitions of the poster. One of his last award – the highest award of the Soviet Peace Committee – an honorary medal “Fighter for Peace”.
Kazhdan was born in 1922 in the city of Nikolaev. Veteran of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, he fought on the Leningrad, Western, and the 3rd Belorussian fronts. He was awarded several orders and medals, including the Order of “Patriotic War” 1 and 2 degrees, “Red Star”, and 7 medals. In 1946 he was discharged from the army in the rank of captain (in Port Arthur). After that, for 7 years he worked as an artist – designer at the Moscow regional art fund “Mosoblhudozhnik”.
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Photo of young Soviet Ukrainian naive artist Yekaterina Belokur (1900-1961)

Soviet Ukrainian naive artist Yekaterina Belokur

Amazing and unique is painting of Yekaterina Belokur, a peasant from the village of Bogdanovka in the Kiev region. More than fifty years have passed since the death of the artist, but her contribution to the Soviet art seems more significant and original. And the country highly appreciated achievements of Yekaterina Belokur – she was awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the Ukrainian SSR, and the Honored worker of arts of the USSR. In her native village Bogdanovka appeared the monument to the outstanding master, as well as a museum of her works. Unfading flowers by Belokur praised the art of the Soviet Ukraine, and embodied the bright creativity of a peasant woman who devoted her talents to the beauty of her native land.
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State farm groom. Canvas, oil. 1969. Soviet artist Alexandr Kirchanov (August 28, 1919 – July 27, 1987)

Soviet artist Alexandr Kirchanov (August 28, 1919 – July 27, 1987) – painter, People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1984), member of the USSR Union of Artists (1953), and Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1972). He was the first of the Kuzbass artists who began to participate in the All-Union and republican exhibitions. Alexander Kirchanov refers to the constellation of Soviet artists, brought up by their time, the years of socialist construction. He lived in harmony with his era and therefore, was sincere in his work. One of the leading themes of his art is the small peoples of Siberia, inhabiting the edges. This direction has brought fame to him.
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Pigeon species USSR matchbox labels, 1963, green paper

Pigeon species USSR matchbox labels
Pigeon, as the symbol of world peace has always been an inspiration for Soviet artists, song writers and film directors. Besides, pigeon keeping was extremely popular in the Soviet Union. There were clubs for pigeon lovers, and dovecotes were in every yard. Circling flocks of beautiful birds – white, black and blue-gray doves flew over our heads. Pigeons could always be seen on the roof of the dovecotes, looking from above at the whistling and waving children. Pigeon keeping was a favorite hobby of many Soviet men. And especially for pigeon fanciers, or just bird lovers and ornithologists issued matchbox labels and postage stamps with the images of pigeon breeds.
Unfortunately, dovecotes began to disappear as a class by the end of the 90s. With the collapse of the USSR changed interests and, gradually pigeon keeping seized to exist. Although pigeon lovers clubs still exist and volunteers support old city tradition, but one can hardly gather a flock of birds with just one cheerful whistle, as it was before.
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Pyotr Kozlov. Old toys. New Year holiday in Soviet art

New Year holiday in Soviet art

25 years ago the Soviet Union ceased to exist, but in a good holiday traditions, the Soviet feast remains typically Soviet. Again and again, on December 31 people sit at the Soviet New Year’s table, watching on TV traditional Soviet congratulation, now from the President, and best Soviet films “Irony of fate…” and “Carnival Night”, drink “Soviet champagne”, and eat Soviet tangerines and Soviet salad “Olivier” .
Despite all the changes of recent years, many families still preserve the Soviet Christmas cards just because they are nice. A paintings of Soviet artists on the New Year theme reminiscent of those who are no longer with us, and force to recall our childhood – the most beautiful time in everyone’s life. That is why the Soviet New Year’s painting – a piece of history of the country and of each individual family.
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Illustration by Soviet artist Tatyana Yeryomina. On New Year eve. 1953

Member of the USSR Union of Artists and Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1966) Soviet artist Tatyana Yeryomina (1912-1995) was a graphic, poster artist, and illustrator of children’s books. Tatyana Alexeyevna Yeryomina was born in Moscow. She studied at the Moscow Regional Art Teachers College (1927-1931) and at the Moscow Art Institute. Studied in the workshops of Sergei Gerasimov and Alexander Deineka (1931-1938). Her diploma work was a series of posters on the theme “Soviet woman”, for which she received a diploma of the first degree.
Since 1930 she began working in the field of poster. It was themes of socialist labor, agriculture, and childhood. Among her works – “Let’s show at the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition achievements of state farms and collective farms” (1939), “With exemplary work of kindergartens and nurseries we can help to learning, growth, and career of young working mothers” (1940), and more. Since 1934, she drew for magazines: “30 days”, “Change”, “Murzilka”. Tatyana Yeryomina actively participated in exhibitions of Soviet art since 1937. Since 1950 she illustrated and designed books for publishers: “Children’s Literature”, “Children’s World”, “Detgiz” and others. In addition, she worked much in the easel graphics and lithography (“Tower in the pool,” 1930).
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