Leningrad-Petersburg. Painting. Dialogue of eras

The Russian Academy of Arts presents the thematic exhibition “Leningrad-Petersburg. Painting. Dialogue of Epochs”, organized by the Union of Artists of Russia and the Guild of Painters of St. Petersburg. The exhibition will showcase works by the largest Leningrad and St. Petersburg art masters. Among them are works by the President of the USSR Academy of Arts B. S. Ugarov (1922-1991), vice-presidents of the Russian Academy of Arts A. A. Mylnikov (1919-2012) and A. P. Levitin (1922-2018), as well as Yu. N. Tulina (1921-1983), B. P. Nikolaeva (1925-2017), I. M. Varicheva (1924-2016), E. V. Kozlova (1926-2007), A. D. Romanycheva (1919-1989), A. T. Pushnina (1921-1991), E. Ya. Vyrzhikovsky (1928-2008), M. K. Kopytseva (1924-2005), V. F. Rudneva (1928-2018), N. N. Galakhova (1928-2022), N. E. Timkova (1912-1993), V. F. Tokareva (1918-1988), B. I. Shamanova (1931-2008), N. P. Latyshenko (1937-2016), S. A. Petrova (1911-1977) and others.

The authors of the concept strive to show the similarities and differences between the Leningrad and St. Petersburg schools of painting. According to the curators of the exhibition, their continuous internal connection is manifested in the humanistic worldview characteristic of realistic art, which is developing in our time, despite the peculiarities of modern life. The work of artists of these eras is human-oriented; it continues the spiritual and moral traditions of Russian artistic culture.

Pictures below:
A.D. Romanychev (1919-1989). Near the window. 1969. Oil on canvas. 120x100. IEC St. Petersburg artist.jpg
A.F. Polozov. The beginning of the working day. 1978. Oil on canvas. 160x116.5. Property of the author
A.K. Bystrov. Ataman. 2017. Oil on canvas. 140x120. Property of the author.jpg
A.P. Levitin (1922-2018). Portrait of Z. P. Sherengova. 1959. Oil on cardboard. 70x50. Collection of the author’s family.jpg
B.S. Ugarov (1922-1991). A cart with a man in a blue shirt. 1989. Oil on canvas. 50x100. IEC St. Petersburg artist.jpg
G.A. Yandyganov. At an unnamed height. 2015. Oil on canvas. 155x180. Property of the author.jpg
L.N. Kirillova. Girl at the window. 2003. Oil on canvas. 100x80. Author’s property

To implement the project, the organizers turned to the experience of the Youth Commission of the USSR Academy of Arts in the 1970s – 1980s, which at that time was headed by full members of the USSR Academy of Arts E. A. Kibrik (1906-1978) and A. M. Gritsai (1914-1998). Her main activities were aimed at supporting the development of realistic art during a difficult period in its history. The establishment of the commission, at the origins of which was Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts V.P. Sysoev, was the reaction of major cultural figures to new trends in the artistic world of those years, as well as concerns about the future of art. One of the achievements of the work of the Youth Commission was the acquisition by the Ministry of Culture of the USSR of about three thousand works of painting, which were included in the golden fund of Soviet fine art, which to this day are exhibited in museums in our country and neighboring countries. Some masters who collaborated with the Youth Commission of the USSR Academy of Arts took part in this exhibition. Among them are Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts L.N. Kirillova, V.L. Borovik, D.A. Levitin, A.F. Polozov, V.E. Romanov, T.S. Fedorova, as well as graduates of the Institute. I. E. Repin, members of the Academy of Arts and the Union of Artists of the USSR, the Russian Academy of Arts, the Union of Artists of Russia and St. Petersburg and the Guild of Painters of St. Petersburg. The Soviet (Leningrad) period is represented by part of the unique collection of the St. Petersburg Artist Museum and Exhibition Center, headed by the philanthropist and collector G. G. Stepanova. The St. Petersburg period, starting in 1991, was formed from the works of the workshops of artists D. O. Antipina, A. N. Bazanov, A. K. Bystrov, G. V. Bernadsky, K. P. Dudko, F. A. Ivanov, Yu V. Kalyuta, D. V. Loktionova, A. D. Lukashonka, V. A. Mylnikova, A. Yu. Novoselova, V. M. Petrova-Maslakova, R. A. Polozova, N. N. Repina, A. P. Rybkina, Song Ruya, T. A. Fomkina, N. V. Tsytsin and others.

The initiators of the exhibition, represented by Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts V.P. Sysoev and A.F. Polozov, strive to revive the experience of the Youth Commission of previous years in modern conditions.