Alexander Gerasimov is an artist, known in the history of fine art as a great creator of famous paintings. He created almost three thousand works of art. Most of these works are in museums and galleries in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Childhood 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 seller. In the south of his country, he bought animals, and in Kozlov he sold them on the square. In addition to the only house on two floors, the artist's family did not have anything. Father’s work was not always profitable, sometimes his father even suffered great losses. The family of the future artist always had certain traditions, which they invariably adhered to.
When Alexander Gerasimov graduated from a church school, he entered a school in Kozlov. His father taught him the family craft. In the very beginning of the 90s S. I. Krivolutsky (a graduate of the Petersburg Art Academy) opened an art school in the city of Kozlov. It was during this period that the young Alexander Gerasimov became interested in and engaged in drawing and began to attend the recently opened drawing school. When the founder of the school, Krivolutsky, saw Gerasimov's drawings, he said that Alexander should go to the School of Painting in Moscow.
Study of Alexander Gerasimov
Parents were opposed to their son going to study in Moscow. However, despite all the prohibitions, Alexander Gerasimov still enters the capital's School of Painting. After his successful graduation, Gerasimov often began to go to the workshop of Korovin. But for her visit, 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 this psychologically supported and financially helped the young artist. Since 1909, A. Gerasimov participated in all exhibitions that were organized at the School.
In 1915, after graduating from the School, Alexander Gerasimov received two diplomas (architect and artist). But the only building he built thanks to his architectural education is the building of the only theater in the city of Kozlov. In the same year, Alexander went 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 the Commune of creativity of artists Kozlov. In this commune were gathered all who are at least somehow related to art. This organization regularly held exhibitions, decorated and decorated scenery in various theater productions.
In 1925, A. Gerasimov left for the capital and entered the Academy of Arts. In the same period of time, he worked as an artist in a Moscow theater. Since 1934, Alexander has been traveling on art 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. At this exhibition, about a hundred well-known works of the artist were shown (“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, the famous work of Gerasimov "The First Horse Army" was demonstrated in France at the world exhibition and earned 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. award, and in 1958 - a gold medal.
Family of Alexander Gerasimov
The artist was very fond of his hometown and his family, although he lived for many years in the capital, Moscow. In Michurinsk, the artist’s parents, his sister, remained. In this city, Gerasimov married, and his beautiful daughter was born named Galina. Alexander was in different countries, but always, when he returned from a business trip, he always came to Michurinsk. He always told his sister that no beautiful and expensive hotels in various countries can compare with his native home, where he is even ready to kiss stones.
Alexander Gerasimov died in 1963. In his honor, a museum was opened in Michurinsk.