Soviet Art

Great October Revolution Coins. jubilee coin 1917-1977

For more than two centuries of history of the Russian monetary system did not exist or wasn’t custom to mint commemorative coins. The few editions dedicated to some historical events, such as memorial rubles in memory of the 100th anniversary of the War of 1812, or the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov, or 200th anniversary of Gangut victory are very rare. Banknotes and coinage of the Soviet state didn’t mint commemorative coins either. The tradition of minting commemorative and jubilee coins began only in 1965, when was commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany – metal rubles with the image of the monument in Berlin’s Treptow Park, created by Vuchetich. Since then appeared the whole series on a particular theme, such as “Monuments of the Motherland”, or The Great October Revolution Coins. This series began, perhaps, in 1924: then went into circulation silver ruble and fifty kopeks, the symbolism of which fits into the theme of the October, and reflects the ideas proclaimed by the revolution.
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Soviet artist Tahir Salakhov with his portrait of composer Kara Karaev. Central Exhibition Hall ‘Manege’, Moscow, USSR. 1962. Photo from the book “Tahir Salakhov. Documentary photographs.” Moscow, 2008

Soviet artist Tahir Salakhov – a teacher, professor, member of the CPSU since 1964, Member of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR (1963-1967), corresponding member (1966), the Supreme Soviet of the USSR 7-8 convocations (1966-1974), winner of the State Prize USSR (1968), People’s artist of the USSR (1973), Academician of the USSR Academy of Arts (1975), member of the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Arts in 1979, Hero of Socialist Labor (1989), vice-president of the Russian Academy of Arts since 1997, member of the CPSU Central Committee in 1990-1991, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation (2012). Tahir Teymur oglu Salakhov was born November 29, 1928 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union. The representative of Azerbaijan, where before the Great October Revolution there was virtually no easel painting, he became one of the leading Soviet artists, known public figure, teacher. He seems to represents the fate of the republic, the rise and development of which in the united family of peoples of the Soviet Union could be seen very clearly.
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Soviet painter Valentin Chekmasov. In the world of the beautiful (young artist). Tempera. 1989 Exhibition of Artists of the autonomous republics, regions and national districts of the RSFSR

Soviet painter Valentin Chekmasov was born November 13, 1940 in Sortavala of Karelian-Finnish SSR of the USSR. In school, Valentin learned in the art studio of the Petrozavodsk Palace of Pioneers. In 1958-1962 he studied and graduated from the Leningrad Art and Graphic pedagogical school. In 1962-1968 he studied and graduated from the painting department of the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (studio of Neprintsev). In 1971 Chekmasov was admitted to the Union of Artists of the USSR. In 1985-1991 he was a chairman of the Union of Artists of Karelia. He works in different genres, including portraits, landscapes, graphic art. Chekmasov is the successor of the traditions of Russian realistic school, his paintings are clear and close to the heart of a common man. Works of People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Chekmasov are in the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia, Arkhangelsk, Sverdlovsk, Volgograd Museum of Fine Arts, Fine Arts museums of the Komi Republic and others.
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Soviet sculptor Anatoly Kusch. Peace. Copper electroplating. 1977

Heroes of the compositions on which Soviet sculptor Anatoly Kusch worked in the 1980s were as young as their creator. They are in love, joy, experiencing first feelings of young parents, boys and girls. He took an active part in tenders for the creation of various monuments. These include sculptural and architectural complex “Friendship of Peoples”, dedicated to the reunification of Ukraine and Russia. He refers to the sculpture park. Soon the territory of the beautiful resort “Khmelniki” of Vinnitsa region, surrounded by greenery and lakes decorated sculptural compositions “Young Family”, “Boy with a Dolphin,” “The Swan Princess”, fountain “Source”.
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Portrait of a rural teacher RS Dyakonova. 1969, marble. Soviet Yakut sculptor Pyotr Zakharov

Soviet Yakut sculptor Pyotr Zakharov was born in 1933 in Kobyayskiy district of Yakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of the USSR. In 1955, he graduated from the Yakut art school, and in 1969 – the sculptural faculty of the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture of Ilya Repin, where he studied in the studio of MA Kerzin. Pyotr Zakharov – Member of the Union of Artists since 1970. Pyotr Zakharov belongs to the older generation of the Yakut sculptors whose work has played an important role in the development of the fine arts of Yakutia. A man of boundless energy, perseverance and performance, the artist has created a large number of monumental and easel paintings, imbued with a high sense of civic duty and heroism. In the genre of portrait sculpture he embodied images of historical figures and contemporaries – teachers, writers, scientists, and representatives of creative intelligentsia.
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Morning of Africa. Patrice Lumumba. Painting by Soviet artist Dementy Shmarinov (1907-1999)

Soviet artist Dementy Shmarinov
Among the honors and titles of Shmarinov are – Academician of the USSR Academy of Arts (1953), Corresponding Member of the German Democratic Republic Academy of Arts (1970), and People’s Artist of the USSR (1967). Besides, Laureate of Lenin (1980), second-degree Stalin Prize (1943) and the State Prize of Russia (1997).
Born April 29, 1907 in Kazan, Shmarinov grew in the family of an agronomist. He studied in Kiev art institute (1919-1922), workshops of NA Prakhov. Then, graduated from the Moscow art institute (1923-1928). He was a chairman of the Board of the Moscow Union of Artists of the RSFSR in 1959-1961, 1966-1968 and 1972-1973. In addition, the Secretary of the Board of the USSR Union of Artists since 1968. Known primarily as an illustrator. Characterized by a realistic accuracy, his work is a graphic interpretation of literary works, noted for the credibility of the transmission of dramatic situations and socio-psychological characteristics of his heroes.
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Soviet sculptor Pavel Turayev. Creativity. Bronze. 1989

Soviet sculptor Pavel Turayev belongs to a generation of artists, who actively began his artistic life in the 1980s. He was born in 1955 in Moscow. In 1979 he graduated from the Moscow State Academic Art Institute of Surikov, workshop of greatest masters of Soviet sculpture N.V. Tomsky and M.F. Baburin. As a student, he began to participate in art exhibitions. At the All-Union Exhibition of 1979 he enjoyed a real success, the work of the young sculptor was awarded Diploma of the USSR Academy of Arts. Since that time, Pavel performs a variety of orders in Moscow and other Russian cities, working under contracts of youth committees and the Academy of Arts of the USSR Union of Artists. Since 1983 Turayev has been a member of the Artists’ Union of the USSR, member of Union of Russian Artists, Moscow Union of Artists and the Association of Moscow Sculptors.
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