Deineka Alexander Alexandrovich (1899–1969) - Soviet artist who glorified the bright tomorrow. He is the author of many easel works, watercolors, drawings, mosaic panels and sculptures. Deineka Alexander believed that art "should be life itself."
Some information about the artist
Born in Kursk and graduated from the Kharkov Art College, Deineka Alexander leaves for Moscow, where he plunges into the hectic artistic life of VKhUTEMAS. Monumentality attracted him, and therefore most of his works are distinguished by it. He has few chamber works. Even creating works on everyday topics, he rose to high generalizations.
"Defense of Petrograd" (1928)
This first large painting reflects the artist’s search for a new language that can express the revolutionary upsurge of a people ready to die for an idea.
Strict and severe rhythm of the picture. The detachment steps smoothly and harmoniously. In stern, unyielding faces, in tightly clenched fists, in the heavy tread of people, confidence is expressed to steadfastly and unwaveringly defend the achievements of the revolution. A slightly lagging wounded person only emphasizes the drama and tension of the situation. In the picture there are practically no signs of life. The background is given by the mean line of a distant city. And that’s all. The artistic image is extremely majestic and generalized. The picture even comes close to the sculpture, the defenders of the city are so powerfully written out. The epic monumentality of images does not negate the fact that each person has his own, personal character. Just now they are all united by one idea, and nothing personal at the moment has no place. The restrained color of the picture casts bronze and steel. He also works to create a dramatic situation in which self-confident people plunged with complete calmness - the defense of the revolution is sacred to them. This work, which impresses today, is undoubtedly the result of much thought and search for the artist.
Thirties
Creative forces are actively seeking a way out. They just splash onto the canvas. At this time, the artist’s monumental style is finally taking shape, which is painted with deep lyricism, humanity and attention to his models.
The peak was the painting "Mother" (1932). The mother soul is beautiful and noble. Great is her tenderness for her trustingly lying child on her shoulder. This is truly a Soviet madonna. The composition of the canvas is asymmetrical, and the color is extremely restrained, harmonious and expressive. A little later, Alexander Deineka will paint pictures filled with light and sun.
The lyrics on the canvases of this period
A completely defenseless image of a boy who fell asleep and curled up next to a vase with cornflowers. This is a completely different Deineka Alexander, full of tenderness for a helpless child. “Crimean Pioneers” (1934) is also a bright, cloudless childhood, which is drunk in the teens with the scents of the sea. The brightest sun discolored all colors, leaving one - joy and fullness of life.
The boys' eyes on the canvas shine with intelligence and inquisitiveness. This is a bright and healthy world, for which the future lies and which is opposed to the old, departing one. These children are akin to the images of Gaidar, who are confident in their country, as in the brightest of all existing. In those years, Deineka Alexander creates many works related to the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, which will lead to the creation of a perfect person. In 1935 "Parisian" was written.
As always, the color scheme is concise, and everything works to create a poetic image of a young graceful woman. Her outfit and hat are exquisitely simple. Touched by red lipstick, lips are plunged into deep shadows. The model is thoughtful and does not pay attention to what effect it produces. She doesn’t care now. This spiritualized young woman is full of spiritual purity.
Years of World War II
All the lyricism and poetry are leaving, we are again faced with the monumentality inherent in the artist. "Outskirts of Moscow" (1941) conveys emptiness and alarm. So sees the city of Deineka Alexander. And at the same time, an image of the impregnable capital of the enemy is given. This is expressed primarily by the set of gouges, the extinguished lights in the windows and the swift speed of a leaving military truck. The houses were quietly silent. They are covered with snow. But the enemy will not pass. This will not allow the defenders of the capital, who are invisibly present here.
After the fracture
After 1943, a completely different mood was present in the paintings of the painter. The artist Alexander Deineka creates an epic about the defense of Sevastopol.
This is a grandiose work that conveys all the power of a people beating invaders with power and pressure, which is simply impossible to resist. The dynamics of the battle is conveyed so that it is difficult to retell it in words. Later there will be a watercolor “Berlin. The day of signing the declaration ”(1945), which reflects the feelings that have seized the whole country.
After the war
Deineka Alexander Alexandrovich again turns to images related to sports. People must be beautiful, like ancient gods. There is again no place for flabbiness and laziness. Very good is his self portrait for morning exercises. The artist not only declares that everything should be perfect in a person, but he himself follows these principles.
New people must create a new world, the artist claims with his work. The work "Young Designer", created in 1966, shows this man, a young girl, in which is inextricably external and internal.
Deineka Alexander Alexandrovich painted his paintings not with a brush, but with an intelligent heart. His work was highly praised by the government. People's Artist of the USSR was awarded two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, bore the high rank of Hero of Socialist Labor.
The artist’s works are in demand today. One of his works sold in London for about three and a half million dollars. The artist died in 1969 and was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery.