Soviet Russian artist Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov 1882-1954

Soviet Russian artist Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov
Great Russian artist, a member of the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia, People’s Artist of the RSFSR and a laureate of the Stalin Prize of the first degree. Considered one of the best Soviet battle-painters, master of historical scenes. Distinguished by a special dynamism of the scenes, attention to detail and the heat of events. He created one of the most famous battle works, which is called “The Duel of Chelubey with Peresvet”. This picture depicts the legendary battle between the two heroes, which shows the invincible spirit of the Russian people, who overthrew the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Noteworthy, created during the Great Patriotic War, it aimed to exalt the self-consciousness of the Soviet people, who fought against the fascist invaders. This picture to date remains a classic battle-historical genre.
Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov began his education at the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, then studied at the studio of L.E. Dmitriev-Kavkazsky, after graduating from the Imperial Academy of Arts. From 1922 to 1930 he was a lecturer at the Leningrad Art and Industrial Technical School. Since 1947 he taught at the Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture of I.E. Repin in Leningrad. Currently, his paintings are in the most famous museums in Russia, including the Russian Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery and many others.

Born September 18, 1882 in St. Petersburg, the boy liked to draw from a young age and parents encouraged this occupation. They also initiated the receipt of their son in the Drawing School “Society for the Encouragement of Arts”, it happened when Mikhail was not even 11 years old.

After the end of the gymnasium, Mikhail found himself in a dilemma: to continue drawing classes or enter the institute. But the love for the brush still outweighed. He entered the studio of Lev Evgravevich Dmitriev-Kavkazsky, known for his numerous etchings paintings and engravings. The study at the shop of the master engraver lasted for a year, and then Mikhail realized that the engravings were not his way. So, he entered as an auditor in the Academy of Arts.

Here he was more fortunate. There he studied in the studio of a master of panoramic painting Franz Roubaud, and Nikolay Samokysh, also a fan of battle paintings. Meanwhile, his studying at the Academy of Arts lasted 10 years, and Avilov paid particular attention to the exact depiction of the details of equipment, uniforms and weapons. In addition, the novice battalist paid much attention to depicting horses. It is no accident that Mikhail Ivanovich devoted a lot of time to sketches from nature, often disappearing at the racetrack.

In 1914 the First World War began. Avilov went to the front as a volunteer and served the rank-and-file for the whole war. At the front, the artist did not part with pencils, constantly making sketches.

Soviet Russian artist Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov

Avilov demobilized in 1917, and from 1918 he lived in Tyumen and worked on the instructions of the Department of Public Education. Worked in the design of the city during the festivities, and did theatrical scenery.

Three years later, in 1921, the artist returned to Petrograd. First, he taught at the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, then at the State Art Studios and at the State Art and Industrial Technical School.

Already in 1923, Avilov became a member of the Academy of Arts of revolutionary Russia. During this period, he gained fame as a painter and battle-artist. When the Great Patriotic War began, he worked actively on military-patriotic themes.

In the postwar years MI Avilov – Professor of the Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture named after I.E. Repin. The recognized master of historical canvases, basically, he dedicated his art to the significant Russian events and the times of the Civil War. Also, worked in book graphics, the author of many posters of the 20-ies of the XX century.