Boris Smirnoff
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Boris Smirnoff (1903, Russia) - is oldest of living artists of Russian avant-gardism nowadays. He continues to draw in style of the Cubism, Futurism and Analytical Art.
Boris Smirnoff was born in Russia in 1903. He was the younger son in family of the successful businessman. His two elders brothers - Alexander and Vladimir - also have devoted themselves to commercial activity. Though Vladimir was known as the artist-amateur and the futurist, big admirer of David Burliuk and Vasily Kamenskij.
The history of the life of Boris coincides with history of the Soviet Union. His family escaped to France. Boris has intentionally lagged behind them on a railway substation, and stayed in Petrograd. He should become the great artist in new country! He is learning as artist, he likes a theatre. Boris works in Mejerhold's Theatre.
In 1926 Boris has found to himself the new idol - Pavel Filonov! And Filonov’s new "Analytical Art".
In 1927 Boris has appeared in France. He developed like artist there. In World War II time all his oils and pastel paintings; all his canvases have been burnt by German's enemies as "Degenerate Art".
Therefore after the war the artist began to draw exclusively watercolor on paper. He said: "I always can put these papers into a suitcase and to carry away with myself!" All Boris's life - his crosses and victories, his love to music, theatre, cubism, analytical art, realism, - all were placed in watercolor's sheets. They were masterpieces!
Boris always refused to sell his art works like his teacher Pavel Filonov. “They are all my life, - he has answered. - And it is absolutely easy for me to take away them with myself... - I want that watercolors were with me always… They never will have been destroy... Unless only together with me...”
Since then people saw Boris in Great Britain and Lisbon, in Malaysia and Singapore, in Switzerland and Holland. His paintings became well-known art, but he on former didn’t wish to sell theirs...
Years went, and Boris has wanted to retire. He has returned on the native land in Russia, and he saw with big surprise, that it is absolutely other country... It was not a place of his dream. However he has remained here. He has found small city that did not irritate him. He has bought the house. And again Boris draws paintings - as well as last 92 years.
Different people periodically came to him, collectors and fans of art, and again ask to sell his watercolors. His watercolors are well known, you know. But artist does not wish to sell them on former. He speaks, that 104 years is not the right age to change his habits...
We wished to have an opportunity to show his watercolors to all people. And we together with Boris Smirnoff have found a way to do it!
Art of lithography is almost forgotten in Russia now. However the original lithograph can show much more, than any reproduction. Lithograph, as original art, can transmit feeling and force of the artist.
Now you can find and see some lithograps by artist. These lithographs are selected, signed and numbered by the artist - Boris Smirnoff. There are all 104 years of life of Boris Smirnoff - prominent Russian artist - in them.
