Arnshtam Alexander Martynovich

March 28, 1880 (Moscow) - October 6, 1969 (Paris).

graphic artist, one of the first professional film artists.

born in the family of the owner of large textile factories. Since childhood fascinated art: music, theater, painting. He played the piano and violin, as well as in school productions. In 1896 he took lessons in painting in the studio K. Juon.

In 1901, he went to Berlin to study at the University of Kaiser Wilhelm at the Chemistry Department. Combine studies in the institute with the study of philosophy, anatomy, art history and music. After two years he returned to Moscow, where he continued his education at the Law Faculty of Moscow University.

Arnshtama first drawings were published in 1905 in the satirical magazine "Signal", edited by K. Chukovsky. Basically, these were the cartoons on the theme of the 1905 revolution, which, in fact, made the name famous Arnshtama.

In the same year the artist, visiting Switzerland, arrived in France. In Paris he mastered the art at the Academy of La Palette and Grand Shomer

In 1907, returning to Russia, Arnshtam settled in Petersburg, where he launched a violent creative activities. The designer and illustrated books Voloshin, I. Annensky, Nabokov, Pushkin, V. Bryusov (published by "Grief"); book products, dedicated theaters Chekhov and Komissarzhevskaya. Fashion magazines, such as "Golden Fleece", ordered Arnshtamu graphic work.

artist actively exhibited: in the cabin "Graphic Art", at the permanent exhibition of contemporary art in the cabin Dobychina at all the exhibitions "World of Art" in 1915-1917.

Not being a consistent conservative in the works Arnshtam distanced himself from the outrageous and the Futurists. For him the notion of "modernity" is a constant "harsh dynamics of the rapidly rushing hours and years, rather than gratification mode" (from the memoirs of the artist).

Arnshtam Revolution of 1917 took a rather reserved and sober. He was invited to the State Publishing House (Guise) to work on the registration books. The artist executed drawings for the publication of "Cola Bryunon" Romain Rolland, books, Pushkin, Turgenev, NI Koltsov. Arnshtam made publishing brand, made two panels to decorate the Baltic plant to the first anniversary of the revolution.

in 1919 was arrested by the Cheka on one of the first high-profile processes "economic revolution". Almost a year he spent in prison on Shpalemaya, then was transferred to Moscow's Butyrskaya prison and, finally, in Pokrovsky camp. In prison, he drew a number of the camera on cardboard. There is an artist came to order II ions from Giza to create sketches of 33 letters of the alphabet in the style of revolutionary (later they showed the Soviet exhibition in Florence). In addition, Arnshtam portraits of prison staff (eg, the commandant Latsis), updated the curtain and made decorations for the prison theater.

In late summer of 1920 at the request of the family Arnshtama released a week before the start of the process of twenty-nine ", which condemned many relatives of the artist.

Arnshtam the autumn of 1921 he emigrated to Berlin. There he established the "Berliner Union of Russian Artists", which included A. Archipenko, IA Puni and others. Berlin period in the works Arnshtama - time universal acceptance in the artist's book illustrations and a portrait painter. In addition to Russian and French books - from start to leave as early as 1914 "the divine cycle of Proust to new stories Bunin - to 1923-m were printed in the Duino Elegies and Sonnets to Orpheus" Rilke illustrated Arnshtama. In 1924 came "The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann and G. Hesse's novel" Last summer Klingsor ". The artist worked on the "Steppenwolf" H. Hesse.

are still far from extreme forms of avant-garde, Arnshtam in his graphic works was trying at times ironic, at times very subtle combination of cubist rhythms and forms a harmonious overall decorative effect and skillfully traced the details. In this manner in 1922, he designed the cover for a collection of Marina Tsvetaeva "Poems to Blok».

Ibid, Berlin Arnshtama made a series of drawings of nude.

In 1928 Arnshtam first turned to the cinema - first as a consultant to the film on Russian themes, and then as art director, interior decorator, costume designer (all he had participated in the production of ten feature films) .

Since then, the work Arnshtama, including works in the landscape, there are inherent in film special angles, in particular the enlarged fore.

After the victory of the Nazis in Germany in 1933 Arnshtam moved to Paris, where he worked until the end of life: designed the ballet "Nana" by E. Zola's novel, created for him the libretto, scenery and costumes. The premiere was held in Strasbourg in 1962.

In his sketches of the time the artist is displaying the Paris of the Second Empire - its bright and dark features.

Arnshtam in his easel paintings (albeit a small) was a deeply individual. In his paintings were felt reminiscences of metaphysical art G. de Chirico and C. Kara, but she got much more temperamental. He preferred to write a few words. In the later period turned to abstraction.

In 1956 was written for a universal characteristic style Arnshtama work, "Prison».

spring of 2000 in St. Petersburg, in the Mikhailovsky Palace was an exhibition of works Arnshtama.