ART AFICIONADO: Boris Grigoriev

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Boris Grigoriev

Art Appreciation

A prominent painter, graphic artist, and writer, born on July 11, 1886 in Rybinsk, 166 miles north northeast of Moscow, is known for his stunning portrayals of the poverty and strength of rural Russia. His works provide a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Russians, revealing their struggles, joys, and the essence of their collective spirits.

Grigoriev began his artistic journey in 1906 at the Stroganov School of Art and Industry in Moscow, studying under the artist Dmitry Shcherbinovsky. A few years later, he held his first exhibition at the Union of Impressionists, citing Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, and André Derain as his influences.

In 1913, Grigoriev continued his studies at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, where he learned from painters Alexander Kiselyov, Dmitry Kardovsky, and Abram Arkhipov. Immersed in the bohemian scene, he mingled with other artists and intellectuals of the time, including Sergey Sudeykin, Velimir Khlebnikov, Anna Akhmatova, Sergei Diaghilev, Konstantin Somov, and Leon Bakst.

Grigoriev gained recognition for his series of paintings and graphic works depicting rural Russia before the revolutionary upheaval of 1917. Despite his art having no political motivations, his Russia series was misunderstood as a denouncement of Russia, prompting him to emigrate to France. His artwork remained locked away until 1989 when the Pskov National Museum of History, Architecture & Art exhibited his work.

Throughout his life, Grigoriev traveled and lived in various countries, including France, Finland, Germany, Central and South Americas, and the United States. During his time in Chile, he taught at the Academy of Arts in Santiago and his artwork had a profound influence on Chilean avant-garde art.

Grigoriev's artistic style is characterized by vivid colors, dynamic brushstrokes, and a deep sense of empathy for his subjects. His paintings often depicted peasants, workers, and villagers, capturing their raw emotions and the harsh realities they faced. Through keen observation and masterful technique, Grigoriev infused his works with a profound humanistic quality that resonated with viewers worldwide.