Mikhail Vasilievich Kupriyanov (1903-1991) was a People's Artist of the USSR, a Hero of Socialist Labour, a full member of the USSR Academy of Arts, and a winner of the Lenin Prize, making him one of the most decorated artists in Soviet history. He achieved this immense fame as one-third of the legendary creative trio, the "Kukryniksy," alongside Porfiri Krylov and Nikolai Sokolov. Educated at the prestigious Vkhutemas (Higher Art and Technical Studios) in the 1920s, the three artists formed a collective that became famous for its powerful political cartoons and satirical anti-fascist posters during World War II.
While the Kukryniksy collective was known for its sharp political commentary, Mikhail Kupriyanov, in his personal practice, was a masterful and sensitive painter of the Russian landscape. The works in our collection reveal this private, lyrical side of his artistry. In paintings like "Summer Day" and "Village," Kupriyanov showcases his skill as a colorist and his deep, poetic connection to the countryside. These works are rendered with an impressionistic, fresh approach that is distinct from his public work as a satirist, demonstrating his immense versatility and his personal love for the beauty of the natural world.
The legacy of Mikhail Kupriyanov and the Kukryniksy is a cornerstone of 20th-century Russian art history. The collective won multiple Stalin Prizes in addition to their other top honors, and their work is held in the State Tretyakov Gallery and all major Russian museums. For the collector, owning an individual painting by Mikhail Kupriyanov is an exceptional opportunity. It is not just a beautiful landscape, but an intimate work from the private studio of a national hero—an artist whose public art helped shape the visual culture of the Soviet Union.
