Sergei Vasilevich Gerasimov (1885-1964) was a People's Artist of the USSR, a Lenin Prize laureate, and one of the most influential figures in the history of Soviet art. For decades, he was a leading educator and administrator, serving as the First Secretary of the Board of the USSR Union of Artists from 1958 until his death. His own artistic education was of the highest order; after attending the Stroganov Art School, he studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture under the legendary masters Konstantin Korovin and Valentin Serov.
A master of landscape and historical painting, Gerasimov's style evolved from an early, lyrical impressionism to a more robust and definitive form of Socialist Realism, though he never lost his brilliant sense of color. The paintings in collection showcase his skill in capturing the essence of a place. In "Samarkand," he uses a rich, sun-drenched palette to render the unique light and atmosphere of the ancient Central Asian city. In "Landscape of Murmansk," he turns his attention to the Russian North, depicting the stark industrial beauty of the port city with a powerful, expressive technique.
The legacy of Sergei Gerasimov is immense. As a full member of the USSR Academy of Arts and a Doctor of Arts, he not only created iconic works but also shaped the very course of Soviet art through his leadership. His paintings are held in the permanent collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, and nearly every major art museum in Russia and the former Soviet Union. For the collector, owning a Gerasimov is to acquire a work by a foundational master of the Soviet school—an artist with a direct lineage to the giants of Russian Impressionism who became a towering figure in his own right.
