Anatoly Popov - teacher, artist, historian. In addition, he is also a poet, musician, traveler and seeker of materials for his works. The name of the Russian artist is known not only in his native country, but also abroad. His works can be seen in Norway, Poland, Bulgaria, the USA, Mongolia and Israel, Cuba and the United Arab Emirates.
About the artist
Anatoly Vasilievich Popov was born in the village of Podgorny in the Voronezh region on 06.29.1950. After graduating from the Podgorensky school, he continued his studies at the cultural and educational school in Belgorod, which he graduated in 1968. Then he entered the Moscow University of Culture, in 1979 received a diploma of an artist-decorator. Anatoly Popov also graduated from the Academy of Public Administration.
After serving in the Navy, he came to work at school as a teacher of drawing and drawing. Then he worked as a graphic designer. Not only paints and brushes are subject to him - Anatoly Vasilievich was the first deputy head of the district in the city of Rylsk and the deputy governor.
At one time he created the first public reception in Russia of a new type, became its leader. A deputy of the regional Duma, a member of UNESCO, he was the director of the Department of Culture and the Monument-Architecture enterprise.
Acquaintance with the work of Popov
The labor path of this person is surprising. But, being a creative person, Anatoly Popov talks about everything in his paintings. There are no fictional, abstract forms. His paintings are native nature, cities and faces. His works read simple lines and clean colors. In a word, the sincerity of an artist who puts poetry, kindness, love for people and the world around him in his paintings.
Anatoly Vasilievich - an outstanding painter, tireless traveler, he is looking for stories, themes, motifs for his works. And, wherever he goes, new landscapes are born, telling about this or that land. A sense of beauty, embedded in it from childhood, helps to see the world with different eyes. Anatoly Popov - the grandson of the painter-wanderer A.P. Popov.
Russian landscapes
Popov's works embody life experience and knowledge of native nature - rural surroundings, fields, rivers, forests, churches, city streets. With all its simplicity, the painter’s landscapes warm the soul. Filled with masterly mastery, they call to enjoy the contemplation of nature.
Miniatures of the artist are original picturesque pearls. Despite the small size of the work, they are also characterized by completeness and integrity. The composition of miniatures focuses on the details - morning sunrise, moonlit night, evening sunset, thunderclouds. They open the world of images of the artist, his feelings and mood.
Most of the work is occupied by paintings related to his small homeland - the village of Podgorny. Popov captures not only the beauty of his native places, but also shows the daily life of his fellow villagers, the history of his land.
But, wherever Anatoly Popov is, whoever he meets with, all this is reflected in his paintings - Baikal, Angara, Siberia, Yakutia. His work clearly reflects such concepts as the Fatherland, Motherland, Power, Russia and the people who glorified it. On his canvases are presented the shrines of Russia, defenders of the Fatherland, Russian commanders.
Historical painting
Much of his work is symbolic. So, according to the artist, the picture "Cranes" is dedicated to birds. But in fact, it refers to the song of Bernes and reflects the fate of the Russian warrior. The works devoted to the events of the war include the painting “Stormy Summer”, which symbolizes the memorable harsh summer of the forty-first.
Among the works telling about wartime, there is a picture of mothers who have not waited for their sons since the war; painting dedicated to veterans; a picture telling about the defeat of the fascist invaders near Moscow. The artist’s collection contains more than ten paintings reflecting the history of the war.
As a true patriot, he did not pass by a historical fact. When Napoleon moved with his army to Russia, he came to the Neman. Suddenly, under the hooves of his horse, a hare slipped by, why the horse bucked and threw Bonaparte to the ground. So Anatoly Popov - an artist and poet - creatively approached the defeat of the French army, and portrayed the defeated Napoleon. In addition, this is the only picture in the world that depicts the falling Bonaparte.
The history of Russia is told in canvases depicting Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov, Alexander Nevsky. The artist pays special attention to the spiritual life of his country. He proudly recalls the friendship with his father Hippolytus from St. Nicholas Monastery. He dedicated the painting "The Elder" to him. The monastery of Seraphim of Sarov is depicted by two paintings by the artist: “The Holy Spring” and “The Merger of the Khoper and Savala Rivers”.
"Fates of the connecting thread"
The artist presents his paintings at collective exhibitions in Russia. He is the initiator of the project “Fates of the Binding Thread”, which is dedicated to the Wanderers. Among the paintings on display are landscapes and city sketches, paintings on military-historical themes.
But unlike, at first glance, the paintings are united by one thing - love of Russia. This is where the name of the project “Binding Thread” comes from, since it combines the past and the present, explains Anatoly Popov. Exhibitions of paintings under this project were held in many cities of Russia.
The artist presents his works not only at personal exhibitions, but also holds creative meetings in schools and lyceums. Such meetings are becoming a tradition in Odintsovo. Anatoly Vasilievich, a wonderful storyteller and guide, acquaints visitors with the history of his paintings. Young participants in the meetings, with bated breath, listen to a talented and experienced master.
“Such meetings are necessary for modern youth to instill a sense of patriotism in them, respect for the great history of their country and a grateful attitude to the memory of their ancestors and their native land,” Popov is sure. In Odintsovo, personal exhibitions are held in the Museum of Local History.
After the opening of the exhibition, on Sundays, the artist holds open lessons in painting and drawing. He shares the basics of working with oil paints, teaches how to make the first brushstrokes on canvas Anatoly Popov (artist). Odintsovo laid the foundation for such lessons. Most importantly, there is a place where citizens can have fun. Everyone is invited to classes.
Gallery named after A. V. Popova
In the framework of the new project, “The Gallery of Arts for Every City of Russia,” Anatoly Vasilievich donated seven of his paintings to the Novokhopersky Museum of Local History. On his next visit, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory, Popov donated twenty-three more works to the museum.
At the gallery's presentation, in 2016, twenty-seven works of the artist were presented. And a year later, Anatoly Popov donated eighteen more paintings to the museum. Thus, the museum became the owner of a unique collection of works by a famous artist and countryman. The city administration proposed to name the art gallery named after A. V. Popov.
Patriotism and love for the motherland did not go unnoticed at the highest level. For his contribution to the cultural heritage of Russia, the artist Popov was awarded numerous diplomas and diplomas, orders and medals.