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Anatoly
Zverev

Russia • 1931−1986
The life and career of the first Russian expressionist (in the words of the famous collector G. Kostaki) is a vivid illustration of the legend of genius-the tramp is able to create masterpieces with his hands while languishing in poverty. Zverev's Paintingsis a natural play of colors and lines while maintaining recognizable shapes forms.

Paintings by Anatoly T. Zverev

Born in 1931 in a working class family, Anatoly Zverev found his calling in art. The first drawing lessons he received in school, where he taught graphic artist N. In Sinitsyn. At 23, Zverev became a student at Moscow art school, but a cool temper and a keen sense of freedom soon led to his expulsion.

The artist continued to improve their skills on their own, and it has borne fruit. His paintings participated in the International youth contest of the festival, was noticed by Sikeirosa that gave Anatoly Zverev gold medal. After which came the glory came, and in Moscow's Bohemian circles in the period from 1959 to 1962, the artist takes an active part in the apartment exhibitions.

About the unusual paintings by Anatoly Zverev, say it all: he pours his expression on paper and canvas, creating unusual portraits, landscapes and sketches. In 1965, the painter received an invitation to the exhibition in Paris, then it waits for a whole series of trips: Geneva, new York. It drew attention to the great Picasso, who gave Zverev the title of the best Russian painter.

Most of the paintings of Anatoly Zverev painted in watercolor. The artist preferred to work in a wet technique, using wet paper. His work is chaotic, at first glance, the play of light and shadows is a mess of colors and shapes, which, however, are formed in a specific way with his character. Portraits, landscapes, still lifes, sketches — all of them were created with different mood, but with a single desire: to throw at the viewer a range of emotions overwhelms the artist.

Among Zverev's works there are many works done in ink, gouache, oil. The artist created collages and experimented with printing in a mixed style. He also loved to draw illustrations for various books — among his works are the illustrations to don Quixote, Shakespeare, sketches and polevskom "the Golden ass".
In the Preface to one of the albums, including the most colorful paintings by Anatoly Zverev, S. art Pieces described master such epithets as violent, uncontrollable, rapid. They fully reflect not only the character of the artist, but also the energy that pervades all of his work.

Anatoly Zverev didn't fit in any group of artists, preferring the path of a loner. Challenging the idea of "common sense" practiced by the ordinary layman, he personified the spirit of free artistic trends. The authorities struggled with the manifestation of this spirit in their own way, covering the Creator's in the mental hospital. Last years the artist spent in wanderings through friends and acquaintances, drawing on scraps of Wallpaper behind the bed and a piece of bread.

About the paintings by Anatoly Zverev with great warmth spoke Robert Falk, arguing that the masters of this scale appear not more than once in a hundred years. The artist's works ended up in private and public collections, they are appreciated by domestic and foreign collectors. By estimations of critics today, there are more than 30 thousand paintings of the artist Anatoly Zverev, made in different styles.
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