Gritsay Alexei Mikhailovich - master brush. His hands created real art masterpieces. Many are interested in the fate of creative people. And this is justified, because, having learned about their life, you can feel the whole power of their art.
Some biography
Gritsay Alexey Mikhailovich was born in 1914 in Petrograd (today - St. Petersburg). He received an art education at the All-Russian Academy of Arts. Mostly painted landscapes, but this was not a simple painting. Gritsay worked in the traditions of the 19th century. Art critics and art lovers praised the artist’s works, saying that in these paintings nobility and simplicity are harmoniously combined. Gritsai never sought to portray something that was not really there, or to draw too catchy pictures. On the contrary, he chose the most inconspicuous, simple natural corners and showed the beauty of these places.
New style in the world of art
Art at that time was remarkable for its monumentality and elaborate compositions. But thanks to Gritsay and his simple, simple paintings, a new trend has formed in art. The painting "Snowdrops" is an example of such intimacy and simplicity of the landscape. But during the training period, the artist was prepared for completely different works - for monumental, thorough, carefully thought out and built technically.
years of education
In 1932, Gritsay Alexei Mikhailovich entered the art academy. Prior to this, he received valuable instructions from the sculptor Bach R. The young artist himself did not believe that he could pass the entrance exam. But the sincerity, diligence and naivety, which can be traced in his work, did not go unnoticed, and Gritsay was successfully accepted into the art school.
Alexey's teacher was V.N. Yakovlev. Yakovlev took copies of old masters as the basis of training. Mostly these were complex academic drawings. For Gritsay it was an excellent school, but his lyrical talent still could not be fully manifested. Despite this, the art school has become a solid platform for the further creative development of the artist.
The famous Soviet painter I.I. Brodsky became the next teacher of Gritsay. The graduate work of a novice artist caused mixed opinions. This was a serious monumental picture in which Gritsay Alexei Mikhailovich was to depict the delivery of a state document for land use. He coped with the task, but not entirely successfully. The picture itself, or rather its main elements, did not work out very well, but the landscapes that were depicted on it deserved special attention. It was for them that the examination committee praised the artist's work.
The publication
In the mid-40s, the audience first saw the artist’s paintings. Prior to this, the artist Gritsay Alexei Mikhailovich fought at the forefront in the war years. When a free minute fell out at the front, the artist painted pictures of military everyday life. It was mainly landscapes. Particularly noteworthy were the paintings "The Last Snow" and "Klyazma. Gray Day." After the war, Gritsay actively continued his artistic activity, which now acquired a poetic character. The works "Over the Volga", "In the Overgrown Park", "Spring Day on the Oka", "May Evening" and many others written in the post-war period deserve special attention. These and other paintings are simply mesmerizing. The artist Gritsay Alexei Mikhailovich skillfully combines simplicity and high grace in his works. Creative manner is expressed in creating a special mood, a certain captivatingness, depth.
The fame was brought to the author by the paintings "Over the Volga" and "In the Lada". These works fully reflected Gritsaya's talent as a master of landscape. The artist’s style is somewhat reminiscent of the style of Vasnetsov A.P. or Meshkov V.
New in creativity
But in 1954, Gritsay Aleksey Mikhailovich slightly changed the style of painting. His paintings acquire a completely different character. He writes more direct studies, without focusing on details. The landscapes turned out to be more blurry, but this gave them a special sophistication. The artist simply dissolved in nature, wrote for its own sake, and not for the sake of painting. He depicted the most secluded corners of nature, which few people paid attention to. Compared with poetry, it does not look like a solemn ode, but to the lyrics. A striking example of this work is the painting "Snowdrops. Aspen", painted in 1957. This work won the bronze award at the International Exhibition in Brussels. Despite the lyrical mood that pervades the whole picture, the academic training of the artist is also visible in it.
Chamber landscape images were the hallmark of Gritsaya throughout her work. Full-scale work smoothly turned into a more generalized picture. So a whole series of paintings "Spring" was created, on which Gritsay Alexey Mikhailovich worked for two years. Funny streams, the awakening of nature, flowering trees are the artist’s favorite motifs. In his opinion, man and nature are connected by strong bonds. This connection is reflected in the film "In the Evening." The author was loving to the animal world. "Fog. Calves" or "First Green. Herd" - paintings that clearly reflect the artist's reverent attitude to animals.
Favorite spring
Alexey Gritsay likes to portray transition stages. From the seasons it is spring, from the time of day it is twilight. Autumn, winter, summer - the paintings of the artist are also not without them. Nature and all its changes in a series of paintings are especially clearly displayed.
Color is the main criterion for Gritsay. He pays special attention to this moment. Therefore, all his paintings are harmonious, easy and free. But behind such masterpieces is hard work. For example, the painting "Spring Time" lasted about 6 years. But she was rightfully recognized as one of the most brilliant. There is little specificity, but the image of spring nature in all its manifestations is fully disclosed.
For many years, the artist was faithful to his style. At different periods of life, it could change a little, but the favorite topic of spring was always a priority. The painting "Ice drift", written in 1985, is an example of the invariability of the artist's style.
Gritsay Alexey Mikhailovich (1914-1998) - landscape icon and master of spring. So did his work.