Nikolai Fedorovich Novikov (1922-2013) was a People's Artist of the RSFSR, a Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Arts, and a decorated veteran of World War II. Born in the Moscow region, his artistic training was of the highest level; he studied at the prestigious Moscow Art Institute, later renamed the Surikov Institute, from 1942 to 1949, where he was a student of the great master S.V. Gerasimov. As part of a circle of major talents, he was friends with celebrated artists like Arkady Plastov and Viktor Tsyplakov.
Novikov was a master of genre painting and landscape, working in the powerful tradition of Socialist Realism. Drawing from his own experiences, some of his early works depicted the lives of young military cadets. The paintings in the Lazare Gallery collection showcase his profound skill in capturing the subtleties of light and atmosphere. In his work "Sunlight," he masterfully renders the brilliant, almost tangible quality of light as it filters through a scene. In "Early Light," he explores a more delicate, atmospheric effect, demonstrating his ability to find a deep, poetic quality in the quiet moments of the day.
The legacy of Nikolai Novikov is that of a top-tier master of the Soviet era, recognized with the nation's highest artistic honors. He was an active participant in major exhibitions from 1949 onwards, and his work is held in the collections of major institutions like the State Tretyakov Gallery. For the collector, a painting by Novikov is a work of immense historical and artistic value. It represents the pinnacle of the post-war Moscow School, created by a celebrated People's Artist and war veteran with an impeccable academic pedigree.
