BOGORODSKY Fedor Semenovich

May 21, 1895 (Nizhny Novgorod) — November 3, 1959 (Moscow)

Painter, graphic artist, scene-designer

Bogorodsky was born to family of a lawyer. He studied in art studio of L. M. Diamant in Nizhny Novgorod (1910–1913), studios of M. M. Severov, M. V. Leblan, and P. A. Baklanov in Moscow (1914). In 1914–1915 Bogorodsky studied law in Moscow University; he was close to Futurists. Since 1916 he participated in exhibitions (the 16th periodic exhibition of the Society of Art Lovers in Nizhny Novgorod).

In 1916 Bogorodsky was called up for military service. During the Civil War he was the Commissioner of the Don and Volga-Caspian Flotilla; he also worked at the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (the Cheka, VChK) and at the Revolutionary Tribunal. In 1927 he became a member of the All-Union Communist Party Bolsheviks (VKPb).

After demobilization in 1919, Bogorodsky was appointed head of the Art department in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1922–1924 the artist continued his art education at the Higher State Artistic and Technical Workshops (VKhUTEMAS) under A. E. Arkhipov; he defended a diploma in 1927 at the Higher Art Technical Institute (VKhUTEIN) and got the right for pensioner trip abroad (1928–1930, Germany and Italy).

Bogorodsky worked as a journalist, poet, actor in theatre and circus. In 1922 he published poetry collection Daesh! (“Let there be!”).

In 1920–1930s Bogorodsky became famous for the series Homeless (1925–1927) and works on Civil War themes (Seamen in ambush, 1927; Little brother, 1932; They found comrade, 1932–1933, Against White Guard, 1933). In 1931–1937 Bogorodsky made several trips to the Black Sea Fleet in order to gather material for creative work. Under the impression of these trips he performed paintings Youth (1932), Sailor (1934), Red Army sailor-poet (1930s) and others. Bogorodsky worked as poster and book graphic artist.

Bogorodsky was a member and participant of exhibitions of the Association of the artists of Revolutionary Russia (AKhRR, 1924–1928), the society Bytie (“Being”, 1925) and Zhar-Tsvet (“Fiery Flower”, 1925). The artist participated in exhibitions of Soviet Art in Harbin, Tokyo (1925–1926), New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit (1929), Konigsberg (1932), in the 16th and the 18th international art exhibitions in Venice (1928 and 1932), jubilee exhibition Artists of the RSFSR for 15 years in Leningrad and Moscow (1932–1933).

Bogorodsky taught at the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK, 1938–1959), since 1939 — professor of the Institute. During the Great Patriotic War Bogorodsky worked as military artist. In 1946 he was conferred title of Honoured Art Worker of RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic), the USSR Stalin Prize for his painting Glory to the Fallen Heroes (1945). Since 1947 he was corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Arts. In 1955–1958 he was chairman of Moscow Regional Union of Soviet Artists (MOSSKh).

Bogorodsky was one of the greatest masters of the Soviet Painting. In 1910s he worked in the impressionist manner. In late 1910s — early 1920s Bogorodsky was under the influence of Cubism, Suprematism, and Futurism. The period (mid 1920s — early 1930s) was creative flowering time for the artist; he painted in realistic style. The works of this period were characterized by large figure compositions; dramatic and expressive manner of painting; plasticity of forms; romantic images. The works of late period were characterized by renunciation of dramatic affectation and search of monumental heroic images.

Along with big pictures, Bogorodsky painted chamber works: landscapes, still lifes, portraits. He often painted from life; the artist also worked in the technique of tempera and watercolor.

Works by Fedor Bogorodsky are in many museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum, Kiev Museum of Russian Art and others.