The strings of the Russian soul in topical paintings by Vasily Shulzhenko
It is difficult to find Russians who would not faced with the paintings of the Moscow artist Vasily Shulzhenko. Hard to find someone who is familiar with the work of this master and remains indifferent to it. Either love him or hate, but there is no denying that Basil is a connoisseur of Russian soul. However, sometimes the artist is called "Russophobe" and accused of denigration of reality.
The artist was born in 1949 in Moscow and began to draw passionately since his childhood. In 1973 Shulzhenko graduated from the Moscow printing Institute in 1978, has become a full member of a picturesque section of the Ministry of agriculture. Over the years, Basil has developed a unique style, that with nothing to confuse.
In an interview, the question about the genre of the works, the artist responds, writes, "Figurative painting in the genre of free fantasy." His paintings are highly valued both in our country and around the world. Work Shulzhenko presented in the State Tretyakov gallery and are present in many private collections both in Russia and in other countries.
Cupid
Abroad the attitude to paintings Shulzhenko ambiguous. Many do not understand the meaning implied by the author in the subjects of the works, and I see a "Russian savages" is a funny, and often causing their wretchedness pity. Perhaps contemplating the characters of the paintings of Moscow artist, Western audiences are imbued with greater pride in their country and therein lies a large part of the success of the paintings.
The flute
Patriots are outraged by what they see in the paintings of the artist the dirt, poverty, obscenity and despair. They believe that the way to portray Russia and the Russian people can only be a man with all my heart hates the country and its population. But it is not so — there are few who so truly loves his homeland as Shulzhenko. Just an artist trying not to embellish anything and be completely objective.
The master
Riding a centaur
Hamlet
A night on the town
Diogenes
Bathers
Marine shower
Orgy
Breakfast on the grass
To deny the fact that Shulzhenko has a subtle understanding of the Russian soul is meaningless. In Russia there is perhaps only one master who is also ruthless in his love for his compatriots.