The source of inspiration is the great mystery of creativity. It is impossible to explain why the plot is born, where such colors come from, which underlies the inner light and emotional dynamics of the picture. A happy childhood, love and a fundamental relationship with a small homeland. Perhaps this filled Alexander Grigoryev’s work.
The beginning of the way
The change of centuries is always a presentiment of the unknown, the excitement of innovation, the expectation of change. In the family of rural teachers of the village of Pertnur, they probably more than once thought about the future fate of their sons. The twentieth century did not spare Peter and Vladimir - both died on the fields of the Civil War. Alexander lived a long life, having fully experienced the triumph of the creator of a new life and the tragedy of breaking history.
The biography of Alexander Grigoriev began traditionally and mundane. After graduating from the Morenovsk Agricultural School, the thirteen-year-old Sasha entered the Kazan teacher's (foreign) seminary in 1905. The future is clear and defined. He is a successor to his father’s business, receiving a sound education.
Kazan teacher's seminary was distinguished by an innovative approach to education, modern training programs developed by teachers of the seminary. This institution trained teachers for the elementary grades of national schools. Bilingual teaching has become an urgent need for a multinational empire. A workplace and a stable salary were guaranteed, since the need for rural teachers in the Volga region is huge.
But the turbulent events of the first Russian revolution introduced their amendments. Alexander and his comrades organized the publication of an illegal manuscript magazine and in 1909 joined the Socialist Revolutionary Party. The result of the first revolutionary activity is expulsion from the seminary and sending home to Kozmodemyansky district. After the charges were dropped, he graduated from Kazan Teacher's Seminary in 1910.
Artist Alexander Grigoriev
The first artistic experiments helped establish themselves in their calling. From 1910 to 1915 Grigoryev is a student of the Kazan Art School. Repeatedly, Alexander's works are exhibited along with paintings by his beloved teacher Nikolai Feshin. The first artist Mari El, who received a professional education, Grigoriev continues to improve his mastery at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.
The troubled twentieth century again intervenes in the plans of the young artist. The First World War and the draft in the tsarist army interrupt training immediately after admission. Alexander Vladimirovich Grigoriev, already a member of the RCP (b), graduated from college in 1917. The whirlwind of revolution and love, the excitement of the builder of the new world led to a sharp turn in biography.
Revolutionary and organizer
In 1919, the parental home in with. Elasa comes a young teacher of Russian language, drawing and history Alexander Grigoriev with his wife Catherine. So, in the young republic there was an application for both specialties. Soon A.V. Grigoriev became the head of the education department of the volost, and then the county.
With all the ardor of a revolutionary reformer, he organizes an art workshop and a school, conducts educational work, and organizes exhibitions. Creates a local history museum, the art department of which is represented by forty paintings by the Partnership of Traveling Art Exhibitions.
Three years later, Alexander Grigoryev was summoned to Moscow to work in the department of agitation and propaganda of the Central Committee of the RCP (B.). Engaged in the development of the art of the Soviet Republic, he becomes one of the organizers of the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia and is elected its chairman for five consecutive years. Organizes exhibitions and expositions, now nationwide. Engaged in museums. Represents Soviet art abroad as part of various delegations.
Alexander Vladimirovich is the founder and first chairman of the Union of Soviet Artists, a structure that has survived the creator for decades. He also leads the cooperative organization All-Artist. The only solo exhibition of A. V. Grigoriev was held at the club in the territory of the Kauchuk plant in 1935.
And again the millstone of the revolution broke the fate of Alexander. Arrest in 1938 was excommunicated from his beloved work for a long 8 years. Freed up with a loss of rights, Grigoriev was forced to settle outside the capital, in Tarusa.
Gratitude and memory
Creativity of a full member of the State Academy of Art Sciences is presented in the Tretyakov Gallery, in the Russian Museum, in the Museum of the Revolution, exhibited abroad.
The drawings of Sasha Grigoryev, a talented student, will forever remain in the city of his youth - in the Kozmodemyansk Art and History Museum named after Alexander Grigoryev.