In this article, we will tell about the outstanding artist Shcherbakov Boris Valentinovich, whose works left an indelible mark on the history of the Soviet Union. He lived a difficult, long, but such a happy life, rich in historical twists, full of fruitful work. His creative heritage can be found in countries near and far abroad. His paintings are striking in their beauty, realism, permeated with love for their homeland. They inspire and, most importantly, make you proud of your country and those people who sang its beauty. So, the story of the life and work of the artist Shcherbakov is offered to your attention.
Young years
Boris Shcherbakov was born in 1916, on April 7, in Petrograd, in the family of the artist Valentin Semenovich Shcherbakov, who studied with Repin himself and graduated from the Academy of Arts in 1909. But fate threw a young family from a hungry Petersburg to Kazan, where the artistâs childhood passed. Shcherbakov quite early began to show his talent. Father jokingly gave the work of his four-year-old son to the futurist exhibitions, and they were accepted. The family returned to St. Petersburg. Boris, wanting to be like his father in everything, picks up his hands. The artistâs father at that time worked at the Leningrad Porcelain Factory named after Lomonosov and, seeing the artistic abilities of his son, began to engage in his education.
The beginning of the creative path
After graduating from high school, Boris Shcherbakov became a student of the Academy of Arts in 1933 in Leningrad. These were the times when youth sought to master the skills of realistic art. The young aspiring artist Boris Scherbakov with pleasure studied at the works of masters of the old school, which found a place in his works. An example of them is Boris Shcherbakov's still lifes. The artist, with his skill and technique, does not cease to inspire and amaze even a contemporary connoisseur of art. In 1939, Shcherbakov graduated from the Academy of Arts. A sharp turn in the history of the country opened up many ideas for him to recreate the paintings, but the Second World War burst into the fate of the young artist, as, indeed, of the whole country.
War period
During the war, Shcherbakov was the commander of a sapper platoon, who participated in the preparation of the defense of Moscow before the offensive of the fascist invaders. Later, front-line sketches formed the basis of the painting âGroup Portrait of Heroes of the Soviet Unionâ. A series of drawings was collected by Shcherbakov during the war on the Western, Leningrad and Baltic fronts. After the demobilization Shcherbakov remains in Moscow and continues to carry out his creative ideas.
The beginning of a long journey in peacetime
In 1946, at the exhibition, the artist Shcherbakov exhibited one of the most significant and famous works, written by him in the year 1945, significant for the country. It was a painting "Peter I receives ambassadors at the forge." Post-war time in the biography of the artist Boris Scherbakov was a portrait period. The masterâs works of that difficult recovery period included war heroes, scientists, and artists. For contribution to the development of art in 1952, Shcherbakov was awarded the USSR State Prize. In 1956, Shcherbakov with a group of artists worked in the GDR to create copies of the paintings of the Dresden Gallery returned by us. The result of the trip was the first personal exhibition, which took place first in Dresden, and then in Moscow. It was called "Cities and People of the GDR."
Unique landscapes of Moldova
Most of all, the artist liked to paint landscapes, perhaps this became the main theme in the work of the artist Shcherbakov. Frantically loving not only art, but also the history of his country, Boris Shcherbakov was a passionate admirer of poetry. Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was a favorite poet, to whom the artist devoted more than one of his work. This is âPushkin in Petersburgâ, âPushkin in Mikhailovskyâ, âOak of solitudeâ. All this became a prerequisite for a trip to the places of Pushkinâs exile. So a series of landscapes appeared, dedicated to the beauty of the vastness of Moldova. Each work is unique in its individuality. The landscapes of the artist Shcherbakov are characterized by a panoramic image, which allows a better view of the beauty of nature. In 1970, a personal exhibition of the artist took place in Chisinau.
Beauty and history of the native land
Shcherbakov loved the history of his country, quite often his work is associated with historical places. He wrote poetry, listened to classical music. Over twenty years of work have been devoted to landscapes, of which there were more than three hundred. Shcherbakova was inspired by the expanses of his native suburbs; A series of paintings was dedicated to the Volga River. A portrait series of Russian writers was written. In addition to Pushkin, a portrait of Leo Tolstoy was painted on the banks of the Voronka River in Yasnaya Polyana, Turgenev, Lermontov. The artist traveled around Lermontovâs places with special interest. He visited Tarkhani, beloved by Lermontov, in the estate of the poetâs grandmother E. A. Arsentieva, where the poetâs remains are now buried in the chapel. With love, the artist depicted a one-story house on a quiet street of Taganrog, where Chekhov's first works were born.
Creativity Sholokhov was devoted to a large series of landscapes. The artist managed to make friends with Sholokhov, who was always stingy with praise, but, looking at Shcherbakovâs paintings, exclaimed: âIt's just great, thank you very much!â The peculiar and majestic beauty of the Don region struck the artist to the core. In the future, these works will be presented at solo exhibitions abroad.
World recognition
The end of the 70s and 80s of the last century was an exhibition period for B. Shcherbakov. The artist held four solo exhibitions in Japan on the topic âOn Memorable Literary Placesâ. In May 1977, an exhibition of Shcherbakovâs paintings âRussian Landscapesâ was held in New York, where she received brilliant reviews. People came out after watching pictures with enlightened faces, with kind smiles. "Wonderful Russian!" - so laconic Americans exclaimed. Currently, the artist's works are scattered around the world, some of them can be seen in the White House, in the US Congress, in the family of British monks. Exhibitions of the artist Shcherbakov took place in the GDR, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, aroused keen interest. The paintings amazed the audience with beauty, realism; the artistâs skill was encouraging. For Boris Valentinovich, these exhibitions were a real test, because people of different cultures, races and nations expressed their opinions. Thanks to the art of a brilliant master, people from different countries united. Every person from any corner of the globe understood the artistâs skill. For a long time they stood beside each masterâs painting, be it Japan or Hungary; people understood and related the theme of the beauty of nature. After the exhibitions, each of them carried a piece of beauty and warmth into the heart after communicating with art.
Contemplating the beautiful, people learn to understand themselves. Scherbakov's landscapes are not only art, it is a kind of message to people of the present and future. This is a way to convey to them not just the beauty of nature that surrounds them, it is a way to show them the beauty of the world on earth, to demonstrate what people own and what they need to preserve for future generations.
Prizes and awards
During his life, the artistâs work was highly appreciated and was repeatedly noted by awards and prizes. Since 1973, he is a corresponding member of the Academy of Arts of the Soviet Union, the highest scientific institution of which brought together artists. In 1986, Shcherbakov received the title of People's Artist of the USSR honorary for outstanding figures of fine art. They awarded him for special merits in the development of painting. In 1992, Shcherbakov received the title of Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts (PAX).
Boris Valentinovich died on July 25, 1995 in Moscow. He was buried at the Vagankovsky cemetery, next to the grave of his father.
Conclusion
In conclusion, summing up the above, I would like to note the outstanding services to the Fatherland artist Shcherbakov. His work, life values, true love for the homeland and a huge contribution to the development of art make him a man of incredible fortitude, put him on a par with outstanding figures of his time. The inner world of the artist was as beautiful and pure as his canvases. He awakened people to see beauty in this world. As you know, the cultural and spiritual development of man shapes society, makes it civilized. Listen to the sensations that arise inside you when you look at works of art, such as paintings by Boris Shcherbakov. Such people seem to us guides not only into the world of beauty, but also into the world of friendship, love and mutual understanding.