BECHTEEV Vladimir Georgievich

April 3, 1878 (Moscow) — June 21, 1971 (Moscow)

Painter, graphic artist, scene-designer

Bechteev was born to a noble family. He studied at Moscow non-classical secondary school (1888–1894), Nicholas Cavalry School in St. Petersburg (1894–1896). After graduation, he served at the cavalry regiment in Czestochowa; in 1901 he retired as lieutenant. Since then Bechteev started to study painting and drawing.

Bechteev took private lessons at the Y. F. Tsionglinsky studio (1901); he submitted an application to be admitted to the Imperial Academy of Arts, which was declined. In 1902 he moved to Munich, where he continued his studies at the studio of Professor H. Knirr, and then at the School of F. Cormon in Paris. In 1905 Bechteev participated in the 2nd exhibition of New Society of Artists in St. Petersburg. In 1906–1908 Bechteev made a tour of France, Italy, and Tunisia. At the same time he became friends with A. Jawlensky, M. Verevkin, and V. Kandinsky. Since 1909 he was a member of Munich New Artists’ Association. In 1910 Bechteev participated in the first exhibition of the society Bubnovy Valet (“Jack of Diamonds”). In 1911 he became a member of the group Der Blaue Reiter (“The Blue Rider”).

At the beginning of World War I, Bechteev was called up for military service and returned to Russia; he served as reserve lieutenant in Borisoglebsk. In 1917 he joined the Red Army.

In 1918–1921 Bechteev worked as head of security at the Committee for Protection of Art and Historical Memorabilia under Narcompros (National commissariat of education). Later he was a head of the art department and art director of the First State Circus in Moscow (1921–1922).

In 1922 Bechteev worked as book and magazine graphic artist. He collaborated with publishing houses Krug (“Circle”), Mospoligraf (Moscow printing industry), Molodaya Gvardia, Academia, Gosizdat (the State Publishing House), Detgiz (the State Publishing House of Children’s Literature), the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions (VTsSPS) and others. He created a series of illustrations for the Japanese fairy tale Invincible warrior (1923); books Phoenician ship, Light on the mounds by Y. Fin (1928–1930); Lady Byron Roman by E. Mayne; Mademoiselle de Maupin by T. Gautier; Jean Sbogar by C. Nodier (all — 1932–1933); Daphnis and Chloe by Longus (1933); Consuelo by G. Sand (1934); Notre Dame de Paris by V. Hugo (1934–1935) and others. He illustrated the works by Mikhail Lermontov, Leo Tolstoy, and Alexander Pushkin.

Bechteev participated in the International exhibition of decorative arts (1925), exhibition Art of the Book in Leipzig (1927), exhibitions of the society Four Arts (1928, 1929), exhibitions of the Soviet Art in Koenigsberg, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, London, and All-Union exhibitions. In 1926–1929 he was a member of the Association of Graphic Artists.

Bechteev made several trips in order to gather material for creative work: the Caucasus (1929, 1932, and 1935), the metallurgical Plant in Sartana city (1930–1932). After trip he created a series of watercolors and drawings. In 1939–1945 he lived and worked in Shymkent; after the Great Patriotic War he returned to Moscow. Bechteev held personal exhibitions in Moscow (1955, to the 50th anniversary of work; 1961), Leningrad (1962, 1969), Kiev (1964). In 1969 he was conferred title of the Honoured Art Worker of RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic).

In 2005 exhibition of Bechteev’s works was held in the gallery Art Divage in Moscow.

Bechteev was one of the greatest masters of easel art and book graphic art of the first half of the 20th century. In 1910s — early 1920s he was close to cubism, abstractionism, and constructivism. Since the second half of 1920s Bechteev began to paint in figurative style in the manner of art trends of that time. In 1930s–1950s he proved himself to be a skillful stylist in the field of book illustration. In the field of easel graphic art, Bechteev was an outstanding colorist and master of drawing with his own recognizable style. His works were characterized by subtle colors, harmonious tones, and severity of composite construction.

Works by Vladimir Bechteev are in many private and museum collection, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and others.