Alexey Shmarinov. Graphic arts. To the 85th anniversary of the artist

From March 27 to April 15, 2018, in the halls of the Russian Academy of Arts (Prechistenka 21), an exhibition of works by the people’s artist of the Russian Federation, academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, laureate of the State Prize of the RSFSR im. I.E. Repin Alexei Dementievich Shmarinov, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the artist.

The presentation of the exhibition will take place on April 10, 2018 at 16.00.

The exposition will be composed of works of different years, which have become one of the most striking pages in the history of Russian graphics: the famous watercolors from the series “Russia is My Love”, easel engravings from the series “Heroes of the Russian people of the XIII-XIV centuries.”, “On the Kulikovo Field”, “Zadonshchina”, lithographs and drawings created during numerous trips around our country and foreign trips, as well as interesting photographs from the artist’s archive.

HELL. Shmarinov was born in Moscow in 1933, since childhood he lived in Abramtsevo near Moscow. The beauty of these places, the historical and spiritual aura left an indelible mark on his soul, and placed vital and moral accents. In 1958 he graduated from the State Art Institute. IN AND. Surikov. Having begun his creative activity in 1955 with drawing attention to himself, he soon became involved mainly in graphic art. His talent is subject to easel graphics, and the illustration and design of historical and modern books. He is fluent in all graphic techniques - unique and printed.

Over time, watercolor became his favorite technique. For several decades he has been working on the world-famous series of large-format watercolors “Non-Black Earth”, “Russia is My Love,” with its subtle lyrical penetration, trembling feelings, and symphony of sound. A. Shmarinov paints landscapes, using his rich creative experience, the entire arsenal of professional techniques, all the features of watercolor technique - its transparency, luminosity and airiness. He avoids excessive detail, builds compositions on the relationship of large color spots, which is why his works gain a monumental sound. Assessing his work, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote: "We must assume that such a classic poetic watercolor art will remain timeless, especially when it is so inspirational and perfect in skill." This series is constantly updated with new works. Both compatriots and foreign admirers of his art perceive these works as a wonderful poetic portrait of Russia, imbued with filial love for the motherland. Its main theme is Russian land, its unique original beauty, its heroic and long-suffering history.

Connoisseur of Russian historical texts and annals, A.D. Shmarinov conceived and created a series of fundamental books-collections “Stories of Russian annals and military tales of the XIV-XVI centuries. ". Marked by many domestic and foreign awards, as well as his easel series on a historical theme: “On the Kulikovo Field”, “Zadonshchina”, “Heroes of the Russian people of the XIII-XIV centuries. "By which academician D.S. Likhachev praised them, they carry an effective emotional patriotic charge. His easel graphic series “Kamchatka”, “Sky above the Motherland” and others have firmly entered the history of Russian art. The journalistic series “Save Our Earth” received a wide public response.

A passionate traveler, A. Shmarinov visited the most remote corners of the country. Since the fifties, - a series of unimaginable romantic trips. Arkhangelsk, Dikson, Novaya Zemlya, East Siberian Islands - on an icebreaker. Football on ice a few hundred kilometers from the North Pole. A fabulous, foggy bay of Providence. Travels in the jungle of eastern Pakistan. Egypt, India, Ceylon, Indonesia, Vietnam - a sailor on merchant ships. Later in the sixties - Italy, Karelia, the Kola Peninsula. Alone in Kamchatka - on foot, on horseback, on corncocks and ships. Lunch at the door of the Devil’s Den - on the edge of the crater of the fire-breathing volcano Avachinsky. Even later, in the seventies - the Middle East, Central Africa, Khartoum, Addis Ababa, Axum, Lake Tana. Hunt in the savannah for the pharaohs. And, of course, Central Russia, which the artist proceeded along and across with a gun and a dog.

From 1955 to the present, A.D. Shmarinov is a regular participant in exhibitions in our country and abroad. This is his 55th solo exhibition. Exhibitions of the master’s works were successfully held in various cities of Russia and in many countries of the world, 25 of them in Germany, France, Spain, Austria, the USA, Czechoslovakia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, etc.

Great merits A.D. Shmarinova in the field of pedagogy, aesthetic education of children, in the preservation of monuments of Russian culture. Since 1997, he has been the head of the creative graphic workshop of the Russian Academy of Arts, where many dozens of young artists who currently represent Russian graphic art in our country and far beyond, have been trained.

HELL. Shmarinov has an extraordinary literary talent. He is the author of several books and articles, the scope of which is far from limited to the problems of art. His book “Abramtsevo is my fate” (2013) is the fruit of many years of hard work by the author.

Extensive creative, pedagogical activity A.D. Shmarinova was awarded many state awards, including the Order of Honor, the Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation, the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree, the Order of Friendship and others. For active work in the Commission for the artistic decoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, he was awarded the Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

The work of A. Shmarinov is known and recognized in many countries of the world. Among his foreign awards are the Austrian Kunstlerhaus House Golden Laurel Prize for his creative contribution to the development of fine art, the prestigious German Prize Peter Ludwig and the Silver Medal of Bavarian Prime Minister Franz Josef Strauss. He is a corresponding member of the Society of Artists of Austria, a corresponding member of the International Munich Press Club.

Artworks A.D. Shmarinova are in the collections of more than 45 art museums in Russia and the CIS, 7 major German museums and among collectors in Russia, Germany, the USA, France, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Japan and other countries.

More than half a century of creative, educational and social activities A.D. Shmarinova largely determined the achievements of modern Russian art.