[R. 4(17).2.1918, Aleksandrovsk-Grushevskii, now the Rostov region].
The Soviet timetable, people's artist of the RSFSR (1968), full member AH the USSR (1973).
He studied at the Moscow art Institute. V. I. Surikov (1940-50) in AA Osmerkin, P. Y. Pavlinov; taught there from 1949 (Professor since 1963).
1971 1st Secretary, from 1973 the Chairman of the Union of artists of the USSR.
For easel P. characteristic poetic perception of nature and daily life of working people, the subtlety of colour and decorative expressiveness of large color planes.
Works: the series "the Miners of Donbass" (gouache, charcoal, pencil, 1949-50; State prize of the USSR, 1951), "North Vietnam" (gouache, pastel, 1957; lithograph and monotype, 1958), "In India" (gouache, 1961) - all in the Tretyakov gallery and the Russian Museum in Leningrad; "the Sails of the Moscow region" (monotype, 1969).
Awarded the order of Labor red banner and a medal.
People's artist of USSR, member of USSR Academy of arts, laureate of the State prize of the USSR.
Born in Alexandrovsk-Grushevsky (now Shakhty) in Rostov region. From 1934 to 1939 he studied at the art school of Rostov-on-don, from 1940 to 1946 at the Moscow art Institute. In 1945 a group of officers of the Soviet Army participated in the rescue of the collection of the Dresden gallery. Since 1946 – member of the artists Union of the USSR. From 1947 to 1949 he studied at the graduate of the Moscow state art Institute named after V. I. Surikov, taught. In 1950, Ponomarev became a candidate of art history. In 1951, for the series of drawings "the Miners of Donbass", the artist was awarded the State prize of the USSR. 1952 – associate Professor of the Institute. In 1957, Ponomarev was awarded the gold medal of the Ministry of culture of the USSR. In 1963 he was awarded the title of honored artist of the RSFSR. Nikolay Afanasievich elected member of the Board of the USSR Union. In 1966 he became a corresponding member of the Academy of arts, 1968 – people's artist of the RSFSR. From 1969 to 1973 Ponomarev, the first Secretary of the Union of artists of the USSR. For a series of graphic works "In India", the artist was awarded the international prize named George. Nehru. In 1973, the artist was elected Chairman of the Board of the Union of artists of the USSR, full member of the Academy of arts, member of the Presidium of the USSR Academy of arts. Ponomarev is the author of many graphic series of posters, book illustrations. The participant of many all-Union and international exhibitions. Leaves graphic series "the Miners of Donbass", "Northern Vietnam" and "India" are in the State Tretyakov gallery, the State Russian Museum.
