Leonid Markov (1926-2002) was a significant Ukrainian-born Soviet painter whose art was profoundly shaped by his remarkable life experiences. Orphaned at the age of 16 by World War II, he was left with the immense responsibility of caring for his 14-year-old sister. After moving to Moscow, he pursued his artistic calling at the art school of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions, where he studied under a roster of important masters, including G.G. Ryazhskii, P.P. Sokolov-Skalya, and K.F. Yuon, graduating in 1948.
This personal history of hardship and resilience informed his humble and direct artistic philosophy. He once said of himself, "Please, just write as simply as possible, as little as possible. Why show everything? Why is this necessary, really-what for?". This desire for sincerity is reflected in his artwork. His painting from our collection, "Evening," exemplifies this approach. The work is a quiet and lyrical landscape that finds profound beauty in a simple, everyday moment. It is rendered with an honest and unpretentious realist technique, focusing on the essential truth of the scene rather than any grand statement.
Beginning in the 1950s, Leonid Markov became a regular participant in nearly every major exhibition in Russia, as well as in many exhibitions abroad. For the collector, the value of Markov's work lies in its deep authenticity. His paintings are not just examples of the Soviet school but are heartfelt statements from an artist with a compelling life story. They offer a unique, sincere, and beautifully understated perspective on the world, created by a painter who valued truth above all else.
Beginning in the 1950's, he took part in nearly every major exhibit in Russia, as well as many abroad.
