Exhibition of Graphic Works and Paintings by the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation May Miturich-Khlebnikov (1925-2008) in Tsereteli Art Gallery

On display in Tsereteli Art Gallery are 250 graphic works and paintings by May Miturich-Khlebnikov (1925-2008), the Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, renowned master of graphic art and illustrations. Over one hundred books illustrated by the artist and printed in numerous copies have become a classic of the Russian graphic art.

The artist’s monumental painting executed together with Victor Duvidov adorns the interiors of the Museum of Paleontology in Moscow. His works were much appreciated by professional artists and the wide public who visited his numerous solo exhibitions in Russia and other countries. They are in collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, as well as other major museums and private collections in Russia and abroad.

The show is a rare opportunity to trace the creative evolution of the distinguished master and stages of his pictorial style formation, to see the works from his creative legacy that have never been exhibited before. A successor of the best traditions of Russian culture, precepts of his parents, famous artists Peter Miturich and Vera Khlebnikova, May Miturich-Khlebnikov for all his life has been ardently devoted to art, worked extremely much, traveled a lot, continued mastering new forms and techniques in his quest of perfection and universality.

The exposition starts with the artist’s early drawings, which are much influenced by the work of his father Peter Miturich, his sketches produced in the war years when May Miturich went to the front and was a member of the front brigade of painters who reached Berlin in 1945. On display are also his life sketches and watercolors from a vast series created by May Miturich during his trips in Russia and other countries, as well as graphic portraits of artists, writers, art historians, his family members painted in various years.

The show highlights May Miturich’s illustrations including his famous watercolors and lithographs to books by S. Marshak, K. Chukovsky, G. Sneghirev, R. Kipling, S. Mikhalkov, B. Zakhoder, A. Barto, fables by I. Krylov, folktales, Homer’s epic poem “Odyssey”, which were popular with many generations of young readers and became a brilliant expression of his own artistic language. A follower of the Leningrad art school – traditions of V. Lebedev, V. Konashevich, E. Cherushin, V. Kurdov, May Miturich-Khlebnikov has won his deserved place in this prominent galaxy.

Of big interest are the artist’s easel graphic works and paintings created in the 1990s – 2000s, among them are colorful watercolors and ink drawings dedicated to Japan, illustrations to Japanese tales. The oils include portraits, landscapes, still lifes, canvases on the Biblical topics painted by the master during his last years which embody the philosophical essence of his world outlook.




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