Ilya Glazunov

Ilya Glazunov (Russian: Илья Глазунов), contemporary Russian artist from Saint Petersburg, born in 1930. Ilya Glazunov is a founder of the Russian high realism artistic school, deeply influenced by Eastern Orthodoxy and iconography and a head of Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Ilya Glazunov’s paintings have mostly historic or religious themes. Famous works include Russia the Eternal, The 20th Century Mystery, The Ruination of the Temple on the Easter Night and illustrations to the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Ilya Glazunov was one of the main advocates behind the restoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Moscow). In his recent years soviet statesman Mikhail Suslov formed a close relationship with Glazunov. After a long time spent out of favour, Glazunov was given permission for a massive solo exhibition in the Man?ge In the 1980s Ilya Glazunov was associated with far-right Pamyat society and became known for his patriotic views. Awarded "For Service to the Motherland" decoration by the President Vladimir Putin.

Artist’s father – Glazunov Sergey Fedorovich, a historian. Artist’s Mother – Glazunova Olga Konstantinovna. Ilya Glazunov survives the WWII and in 1942 eleven-year-old Ilya is transported from besieged Leningrad along the “Road Of Life”. He stays in the village of Greblo in the Novgorod region after his entire family parishes from starvation. In 1944 he comes back to Leningrad and studies in the secondary art school. From 1951 to 1957 he studies art under the direction of Professor B. Iaganson. In 1956 he gets married to the love of his life – Nina Vinogradova-Benois. The image of the artist’s wife Nina is visible in many of his works. Nina Aleksandrovna was a descendant of the Benois family which is familiar to all art lovers. Her uncle was the artistic director of the “La Scala” Opera for 30 years. Artist’s success at the International competition of Young Artists in Prague prompts the opening of his first one-man exhibition in Moscow. Soon enough he travels to Italy for the first time to paint the portrait of famous actress, Gina Lollobridgida. From 1978 Glazunov is teaching in the Moscow University of Art. Glazunov’s children – Ivan and Vera – have both become artists. His wife died in 1986.

Biography

1930 Ilya Sergeyevich Glazunov is born on June 10 in Leningrad.

1942 Eleven-year-old Ilya is transported from besieged Leningrad along the “Road of Life” to the village of Greblo in the Novgorod region after his entire family perishes from starvation.

1944 Returns to Leningrad and enrolls in the secondary art school under the auspices of the I. E. Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture of the USSR Academy of Arts.

1948 Glazunov is first mentioned in the press (“Leninskaya Pravda,” October 28).

1951 Upon graduation from art school, enrolls in the painting department of the I. E. Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture of the USSR Academy of Arts, studying under the direction of Professor Boris Ioganson.

1955 Completes the painting “The Last Bus,” which marks the beginning of the on- going series of works exploring the theme of the city.

1956 Completes the paintings “F. M. Dostoyevsky in St. Petersburg,” “Prince Myshkin,” “Rogozhin,” and “Nastasya Filippovna.” Begins work on illustrations for works by Dostoyevsky and A. Blok.
--- Awarded grand-prix at the IV International Competition of Young Artists in Prague for his portrait of Iulius Fychik.
--- Completes a series of portraits of famous people in the arts, including D. Sikeiros, D. Sorano, F. Fellini, M. Shomett, and M. Kazares, which marks the beginning of his world renown as a portraitist.

1957 Trips to Belozersk, Rostov Velikii, Suzdal, Vladimir, Novgorod, Pskov, Gor’kii, and Yaroslavl.
--- Glazunov’s success at the International Competition of Young Artists in Prague prompts the opening of his first one-man exhibition in Moscow at the Central House of Workers of the Arts.
--- Participates in a world festival of youth and students.
--- Graduates from the I. E. Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.
--- Moves to Moscow the same year.

1959 The monograph “Ilya Glazunov” is published by P. Ricchi in Naples, Italy.

1963 Completes illustrations for works of P. I. Mel’nikov-Pechersky, including “In the Woods,” “In the Mountains,” “Princess Tarakanova and Princess Vladimirskaya,” and others. Completes the paintings “Russian Icarus,” and “Andrei Rublev,” initiating the series of works on themes of Russian history. -- Travels to Italy for the first time to paint the portrait of famous actress, Gina Lollobridgida.

1964 First one-man exhibition at the Manege.
-- Completes illustrations for works of A. I. Kuprin, “The Pit,” “Breguet,” “Gambrinus,” and others.
-- Excerpts from his book, “The Road to You. From an Artist’s Notes,” in which he sets forth his views on the role of the artist, are published in the journal “Molodaya Gvardiya.”

1966 Invited to Denmark to paint the portrait of Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag.

1967 Official trip to Vietnam as correspondent of “Komsomolskaya Pravda.” Produces a series of paintings on war-torn Vietnam. The album “Days and Nights of Vietnam” is published (Moscow: Izobrazitel’noye Iskusstvo).
-- Actively participates in the creation of the All-Russian Society for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments.
-- Accepted into the USSR Artists’ Union

1968 Travels to the Russian North. Starts the series of works, “The Russian North. Homeland,” “The Kirillo-Belozerskii Monastery,” and others.

1972 The monograph “Ilya Glazunov” (Moscow: Izobrazitel’noye Iskusstvo) is published. The album “Ilya Glazunov” (Moscow: Planeta) is published. “Vietnamese Diary” is published (Moscow: Progress).
-- Completes illustrations for works by N. S. Leskov, including “Lady Macbeth of the Mtensk District,” The Enchanted Wanderer,” “Lefty,” “The Toupee Artist,” and others.

1973 Dostoyevsky’s novel “White Nights” illustrated by Glazunov is published in Moscow by “Khudozhestvennaya Literatura” publishing house.
-- Official trip to Chile, which culminates in a series of works. The album “Chile in the Eyes of the Artist” (Moscow: Izobrazitel’noye Iskusstvo) is published.
-- Receives title “Honored Worker of Arts of the RSFSR.”
-- Travels to India by invitation to complete portrait of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Prize for strengthening Indian-Soviet friendship.

1974 Travels by invitation to Finland to paint the portrait of President Urho Kekkonen.

1975 Completes illustrations for verses by I. S. Nikitin. The album “Song of Chile” (Moscow: Agenstva Pechati Novosti) is published.

1976 The documentary film “Ilya Glazunov” is released.

1977 Official trip to the construction site of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Creates the series of works entitled “BAM.”

1978 Glazunov’s second one-man exhibition is held at the Manezh.
-- Dostoyevsky’s novel “Netochka Nezvanova” with illustrations by Glazunov is published (Moscow: Khudozhestvennaya Literatura).
-- Begins to teach at the V. I. Surikov Moscow State Art Institute.

1979 The albums “The Writer and the Artist” and “BAM” are published (Moscow: Izobrazitel’noye Iskusstvo).
-- Awarded the title “People’s Artist of the USSR.”
-- Awarded the title of Honorary Member of the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, and the San Jorge Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Barcelona.

1980 At UNESCO’s invitation, creates the large painting “The Contribution of the Peoples of the USSR to World Culture and Civilization.” The painting was an official gift from the USSR to UNESCO.
-- Collaborates with his wife, Nina Vinogradova-Benois, on stage designs and costumes for A. P. Borodin’s opera “Prince Igor” for the Berlin State Opera.

1981 Commissioned by the USSR Ministry of Culture in Moscow to establish the All- Union Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art. Appointed director of the museum.
-- Collaborates with his wife, artist Nina Vinogradova-Benois, on the stage design and costumes for the ballet “Masquerade” with music by A. I. Khachaturian for the Theater of Opera and Ballet in Odessa.
-- Awarded the title of professor of painting and composition of the V. I. Surikov Moscow State Institute of Art.

1982 The Collected Works of F. M. Dostoyevsky in 12 volumes illustrated by Glazunov is published (Moscow: Pravda).
-- The album “Zadonshchina” illustrated by Glazunov is published (Moscow: Khudozhestvennaya Literatura).
-- Collaborates with his wife, artist Nina Vinogradova-Benois, on the stage design and costumes for Tchaikovsky’s opera “Queen of Spades” for the Berlin State Opera.
-- The album “Gift to UNESCO from the USSR ” is published (Moscow: Planeta).

1983 Collaborates with his wife, artist Nina Vinogradova-Benois, on the stage design and costumes for Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “Tale of the Invisible Town of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevroniya” for the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.
-- Official trip to Nicaragua. Creates the series “Nicaragua Diary” (Moscow: Agentstva Pechati Novosti).
-- The album “The Artist and Time: Ilya Glazunov” is published (Moscow: Sovetskaya Rossiya).
-- Invited to Italy to paint the portrait of Italian President A. Pertini.

1985 Awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

1986 The album “Ilya Glazunov” is published (Moscow: Izobrazitel’noye Ickusstvo).
-- The album “Images of F. M. Dostoyevsky in Illustrations of Ilya Glazunov” is published (Moscow: Planeta).
-- The artist’s third one-man exhibition is held at the Manege.

1987 Appointed rector for life of the All-Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.

1994 Fourth personal exhibition at the Manege.

1996 Published volume one of “Russia Crucified.”

1997 Appointed member of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.