Soviet Art

USSR Culture

Soviet artist Nikolai Ponomarev 1918-1997

New Uniform, 1953. Oil on canvas. Soviet artist Nikolai Ponomarev 1918-1997

New Uniform, 1953. Oil on canvas. Soviet artist Nikolai Ponomarev (17 February 1918 – 1997)

Soviet artist Nikolai Ponomarev (17 February 1918 – 1997) – Member of the USSR Union of Artists (1946), Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1963), People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1968). He was a corresponding member of the Academy of Arts (1966), a member of the Academy of Arts (1973), and member of the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Arts, and in 1992-1997 – its President. In addition, he was a Chairman of the USSR Union of Artists (1973-1988). Noteworthy, in 1945, in the group of art experts participated in the rescue of the collection of the Dresden Gallery (the photo below). He was the winner of the third degree of the Stalin Prize in 1951, for a series of etchings “The miners of Donbass” (1949-1950). In 1957, was awarded the Gold Medal of the Ministry of Culture. Besides, for a series of graphic works “In India” he received the International Prize of Jawaharlal Nehru.

A group of Soviet art experts next to the painting "Madonna with St. Francis" by Antonio Allegri Correggio, in Pillnitz Palace

A group of Soviet art experts next to the painting “Madonna with St. Francis” by Antonio Allegri Correggio, in Pillnitz Palace

A group of Soviet art experts next to the painting “Madonna with St. Francis” by Antonio Allegri Correggio, in Pillnitz Palace. From left to right: SP Grigorov, Boris Alexeyev, Nikolay Afanasievich Ponomarev (1918-1997), MV Volodin (1912-1987), and SS Churakov (1909-1980). Noteworthy, the Soviet Union returned all 750 saved paintings to the galleries of Dresden.

Born in Rostov region, Nikolai Afanasievich Ponomarev studied at the Art School in Rostov-on-Don (1934-1939). Then, he continued studying art at the Moscow Art Institute, workshops of prominent Soviet artists A. Osmyorkin and P. Pavlinov (1940-1950).
Since 1947 he participated in exhibitions. In 1947-1949 he studied at the graduate school of the Moscow Art Institute, and in 1949 began to teach there. In 1950 he became the candidate of art criticism. Since 1952 – Associate Professor, since 1963 – Professor of the Institute.

Soviet artist Nikolai Ponomarev 1918-1997

After shift. 1959 (from the series of Donbass miners)

After shift. 1959 (from the series of Donbass miners)

The work of Nikolai Ponomarev is characterized by expressive rhythm of color planes, clarity of composition, the subtlety of color, poetic perception of nature and everyday life of the working people. He is the author of series of paintings, such as “The miners of Donbass” (1949-1950), “North Vietnam” (1957, 1958), “In India” (1961), “About people of Soviet Russia” (1964), “Sails of Moscow suburbs” (1969), and others.

Nikolai Afanasievich died in 1997 in Moscow. His works are in the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum and in many other museum collections in Russia.

At the crossing. 1957 (of a series of North Vietnam)

At the crossing. 1957 (of a series of North Vietnam)

Commander SM Budyonny 1985

Commander SM Budyonny 1985

Election (at the meeting), 1950 (from the series of Donbass miners)

Election (at the meeting), 1950 (from the series of Donbass miners)

Evening song. From Vietnam series

Evening song. From Vietnam series

In India. Paper, gouache. 1960

In India. Paper, gouache. 1960

Mikhail Sholokhov, 1985

Mikhail Sholokhov, 1985

Miner of Donbass. 1950

Miner of Donbass. 1950

Miners of Hon Gai

Miners of Hon Gai

Morning, fisher girl. 1964

Morning, fisher girl. 1964

N. A. Ponomarev (Moscow). Pine. From the series 'Relic pine '. 1980-1981. Paper, ink

Pine. From the series ‘Relic pine ‘. 1980-1981. Paper, ink

In the Bay of Bengal. From 'On India' series. Watercolor. 1960

In the Bay of Bengal. From ‘On India’ series. Watercolor. 1960

From Vietnam series. 1960s Gouache on paper

From Vietnam series. 1960s Gouache on paper

New shift has come. 1959

New shift has come. 1959

Vietnam series. Junk (ship) at a wharf. 1960s Gouache on paper

Vietnam series. Junk (ship) at a wharf. 1960s Gouache on paper

On the Don. Alexey Bogayevsky, 1980

On the Don. Alexey Bogayevsky, 1980

Constructor of the Aswan Dam. 1970. Monotype

Constructor of the Aswan Dam. 1970. Monotype

Portrait of officer. 1960s

Portrait of officer. 1960s

Old woman portrait

Old woman portrait

Russian mystic writer Mikhail Bulgakov and a black cat

Russian mystic writer Mikhail Bulgakov and a black cat

Still life with grapes. 1950s

Still life with grapes. 1950s

Surgeon V. Saveliev, 1977

Surgeon V. Saveliev, 1977

In the post office. 1957

In the post office. 1957

Ha Long Bay. From the series North Vietnam. All-Union exhibition of Soviet art to the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution

Ha Long Bay. From the series North Vietnam. All-Union exhibition of Soviet art to the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution

On the ferry. From the series North Vietnam. All-Union exhibition of Soviet art to the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution

On the ferry. From the series North Vietnam. All-Union exhibition of Soviet art to the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution

To the market. From the series North Vietnam. All-Union exhibition of Soviet art to the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution

To the market. From the series North Vietnam. All-Union exhibition of Soviet art to the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution