Alexander Gerasimov: the life and work of the artist

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Alexander Gerasimov is an artist, known in the history of fine arts as a great creator of famous paintings. He created almost three thousand works of art. Most of these works are housed in museums and galleries in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Childhood of A. Gerasimov

Gerasimov Alexander Mikhailovich was born in 1881, on August 12, in the city of Michurinsk (formerly the city of Kozlov). His father was a simple peasant and cattle dealer. In the south of his country, he bought animals, and in Kozlov he sold them on the square. In addition to the only two-story house, the artist's family had nothing. The work of the father was not always profitable, sometimes the father even suffered big losses. The family of the future artist always had certain traditions, which they invariably adhered to. When Alexander Gerasimov graduated from church school, he entered the school in Kozlov. His father taught him the family trade. At the very beginning of the 90s, S. I. Krivolutsky (a graduate of the St. Petersburg Art Academy) opened an art school in the city of Kozlov. It was during this period that young Alexander Gerasimov becameto take a great interest and be engaged in drawing and started attending the newly opened drawing school. When the founder of the school, Krivolutsky, saw Gerasimov's drawings, he said that Alexander should enter the School of Painting in Moscow.

Study of Alexander Gerasimov

Parents were against their son going to study in Moscow. However, despite all the prohibitions, Alexander Gerasimov still enters the Moscow School of Painting. After his successful completion, Gerasimov began to frequently visit Korovin's workshop. But in order to visit her, Alexander needed to study at any other department of the school. And Gerasimov chose the department of architecture. The influence of A. Korovin greatly affected the early work of the artist. His early works were bought by V. A. Gilyarovsky and by this he psychologically supported and financially helped the young artist. Since 1909, A. Gerasimov participated in all the exhibitions that were organized at the School.

In 1915, after graduating from the College, Alexander Gerasimov received two diplomas (architect and artist). But the only building that he built thanks to his architectural education is the building of the only theater in the city of Kozlov. In the same year, Alexander left to serve in the army, and returning from there in 1918, he immediately returned to Michurinsk.

Artistic activity of A. Gerasimov

In 1919 Gerasimov became the organizer of Kozlov's Artists' Commune. In this commune, everyone who somehow relates to art was gathered. This organization regularlyexhibitions, decorated and designed scenery in various theatrical productions.

In 1925, A. Gerasimov left for the capital and entered the AHRR. During the same period of time, he worked as an artist in the Moscow theater. Since 1934, Alexander has been traveling on artistic trips and business trips to different countries, for example, France, Italy. From his creative, artistic travels, he brought a lot of good sketches of paintings and sketches. In 1936, a personal exhibition of the artist was opened in Moscow. About a hundred famous works of the artist were shown at this exhibition (“Lenin on the podium”, “Portrait of I. V. Michurin”, etc.). After a successful show in Moscow, the exhibition was demonstrated in the artist's hometown, Michurinsk.

In 1937 Gerasimov's famous work "The First Cavalry Army" was demonstrated in France at the world exhibition and won the Grand Prix.

In 1943, Alexander Gerasimov became the People's Artist of the Soviet Union. For the work "Group portrait of the oldest artists" Gerasimov in 1946 was awarded the state. prize, and in 1958 - a gold medal.

Alexander Gerasimov's family

The artist loved his hometown and his family very much, although he lived in the capital, Moscow, for many years. The artist's parents and his sister stayed in Michurinsk. In this city, Gerasimov married, and his beautiful daughter named Galina was born. Alexander was in different countries, but always, when he returned from a business trip, he always came to Michurinsk. He always told his sister thatno beautiful and expensive hotels in various countries can compare with his home, where he is ready to even kiss stones.

Died Alexander Gerasimov in 1963. A museum was opened in his honor in Michurinsk.