Ilya Georgievich Yatsenko (b. 1977) is an Honored Artist and a leading contemporary painter of the Moscow school, with an artistic and educational lineage that is truly remarkable. While his early studies were at the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, he later moved to the prestigious Surikov Art Institute to study in the studio of the legendary Professor V.N. Zabelin. During his time there, his mentors and Zabelin's assistants were none other than fellow masters Nikolai Dubovik and Alexey Sukhovetsky. This places Yatsenko at the center of a unique confluence of the greatest teaching traditions of the post-war and contemporary eras.
This sophisticated training is evident in the technical brilliance and thematic depth of his work. In his painting "Old Town Sighnaghi," from our collection, Yatsenko masterfully captures the unique atmosphere and ancient architecture of the historic Georgian town, rendering the scene with a rich palette and a deep appreciation for place. In another piece, "Still Life With Georgian Vessels," he displays his skill in composition and his ability to imbue everyday objects with cultural resonance and timeless beauty. His work is a clear continuation of the realist tradition, enhanced by his own modern sensibility.
The legacy of Ilya Yatsenko is that of a vital, living link between the great masters of the 20th century and the future of Russian art. His work has been recognized with a diploma from the Russian Academy of Arts and has been exhibited internationally in countries such as Italy and China. For the collector, acquiring a work by Yatsenko is an exceptional opportunity. It represents a piece from an artist trained not only by the master Zabelin but also directly mentored by Dubovik and Sukhovetsky—a pedigree that is virtually unparalleled in contemporary Russian art.
2003, First solo-exhibition in Zelenograde's City Hall
