Exhibition of works by Yuri Orlov

The Russian Academy of Arts presents an exhibition of works by People’s Artist of the Russian Federation and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts Yuri Alexandrovich Orlov. The retrospective exhibition displays more than 100 paintings - from paintings on themes of Russian history and landscapes to portraits and still lifes, fully covering all stages of the author’s creative life.

The majority of the works presented in the academic halls are from the artist’s studio, but viewers will also see paintings created for the M. B. Grekov Studio of Military Artists.

Consistently developing the traditions of Russian art in his work, absorbing the achievements of European masters, Yuri Orlov remains faithful to the classical school of painting. These qualities allow us to consider him one of the most interesting realists of modern Russia, an undoubtedly extraordinary phenomenon.

The author received a classical academic education - he graduated from the Stavropol Children’s Art School and the Stavropol Art College, then completed an internship at the Creative Painting Workshop of the Russian Academy of Arts under the guidance of academicians of the Russian Academy of Arts A. P. and S. P. Tkachev.

Yu. A. Orlov. March in Suzdal. 2012. Oil on canvas. 72.5x112.5 cm. Property of the author
Yu. A. Orlov. Chasing the Step. 2021. Oil on canvas. 130x190 cm. Grekov Studio of Military Artists
Yu. A. Orlov. Estate. 2016-2017. Oil on canvas. 100x170 cm. Property of the author
Yu. A. Orlov. Winner. 2023. Oil on canvas. 90x140 cm. Grekov Studio of Military Artists
Yu. A. Orlov. Baptism. 1997. Oil on canvas. 155x200 cm. Property of the author
Yu. A. Orlov. In Petrovsky. 2017. Oil on canvas. 45x70 cm. Property of the author

The generation of artists to which Yuri Alexandrovich belongs was destined to go through an era of global changes. With the advent of the 1990s, new aesthetic guidelines that had developed in Russian art brought many names to the forefront. But those talented authors who personified the youth environment of the 1980s and progressive trends in Russian painting of that period, were positively noted by critics, were destined to become in the 21st century the bearers of the classical school, which is the pride of Russian culture. At the turn of the century, their work linked two eras, combining into a single whole the Russian classical school and decisive attempts to bring new qualities to modern painting, an awareness of the special role of the artist in the life of society and high responsibility.

Yuri Orlov is a painter of a unique creative temperament, combining compositional and coloristic talent with a special sense of plasticity and professional skill. He is widely known for his plot-themed works: "They Left", "Dead End", "The Lost Game". The canvas "Baptism", where he managed to capture the harmony and solemnity of the sacred rite, convey delight, trepidation and love for man, was nominated for the State Prize of the Russian Federation, and the author was awarded the "Worthy" medal by the Russian Academy of Arts.

His landscapes are quiet, intimate narratives of earthly beauty, imbued with love for Russian nature. Even in a simple motif, he is able to reveal a subtle poetic beginning. In the paintings "Torzhok in Winter" (2008), "March in Suzdal" (2012), "Ipatiev Monastery" (2016), the artist conveys delight in the amazing harmony of Orthodox architecture, its forms, volumes, rhythms and their connection with nature into a single whole.

The portraits of the artist’s wife, sons and friends are painted with warmth and tenderness. The complex inner world of the master is revealed in the "Self-Portrait" (2018), presented at the exhibition. "Life is rich and diverse. It presents situations itself, and they give rise to themes. Therefore, I paint what is interesting and what excites me. Everything that surrounds me: my loved ones, acquaintances, objects, nature. Still life is beautiful because you can arrange objects as you see fit or see something new, something you have spied. The landscape is amazing in its unpredictability: nature, lighting, state, time of day.

A portrait is interesting, first of all, because of the type or personal sympathy. A painting is, perhaps, the most interesting thing. It includes all genres," the author believes.

The artist’s art, imbued with true love for the Fatherland and patriotism, instills hope that the connection between generations will not be broken. These are the goals set by the masters of the V. V. Vereshchagin Studio of Artists of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, where he worked from 1990 to 2020, and the M. B. Grekov Studio of Military Artists, where the master has been working since 2020. The exhibition, deployed in a suite of academic halls, will allow the viewer to come into contact with the multifaceted work of Yuri Orlov.

The text was prepared by the Information Department (press service) of the Russian Academy of Arts based on an article by art critic and honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts Tatyana Ivanovna Boytsova.