Boris Vladimirski
Encyclopedia
Boris Eremeevich Vladimirski, (February 27, 1878 – February 12, 1950), was a Soviet painter
of the Socialist Realism
school.
Vladimirski was born in Kiev
, Ukraine
. He began his artistic studies at age 10, later attending (1906) the Kiev Art College. He exhibited his first painting in 1906.
As an official Soviet artist, his work was well received and widely exhibited. His works were aimed at exemplifying the work ethic of the Soviet people; they were displayed in many homes and federal buildings. He is also known for his paintings of prominent public officials.
However, his controversial Black Ravens painting, which depicts Soviet secret police
(NKVD
) that came at night to disappear
people, was regarded as a piece that transcended the values of Socialist Realism
. Surprisingly, the painting managed to pass by censorship committees, and was also displayed throughout the country.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of the Socialist Realism
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
school.
Vladimirski was born in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. He began his artistic studies at age 10, later attending (1906) the Kiev Art College. He exhibited his first painting in 1906.
As an official Soviet artist, his work was well received and widely exhibited. His works were aimed at exemplifying the work ethic of the Soviet people; they were displayed in many homes and federal buildings. He is also known for his paintings of prominent public officials.
However, his controversial Black Ravens painting, which depicts Soviet secret police
Secret police
Secret police are a police agency which operates in secrecy and beyond the law to protect the political power of an individual dictator or an authoritarian political regime....
(NKVD
NKVD
The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the public and secret police organization of the Soviet Union that directly executed the rule of power of the Soviets, including political repression, during the era of Joseph Stalin....
) that came at night to disappear
Forced disappearance
In international human rights law, a forced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the...
people, was regarded as a piece that transcended the values of Socialist Realism
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
. Surprisingly, the painting managed to pass by censorship committees, and was also displayed throughout the country.