Viktor Grigorievich Tsyplakov (1915-1986) was a People's Artist of the RSFSR, a two-time Stalin Prize laureate, and a Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Arts, marking him as one of the most important masters of the Soviet era. His artistic training was elite; after attending the Moscow Art School, he studied at the prestigious Surikov Art Institute from 1936 to 1942 under the legendary master Igor Grabar. Following his graduation, Tsyplakov embarked on a storied career as both a celebrated painter and one of the most influential professors at the Surikov Institute, where he taught for over thirty years.
Tsyplakov was a master of historical and genre painting, known for his dynamic compositions and an energetic, expressive style of realism. His works in our collection reveal the more intimate and lyrical side of his art. In the painting "It's Getting Warmer," he masterfully captures the hopeful feeling of the changing seasons, likely rendering the scene with the vigorous, painterly brushwork for which he was known. In "Wood Stove," he finds a sense of warmth and comfort in a simple, domestic interior, showcasing his ability to elevate everyday subjects into works of sincere beauty.
The legacy of Viktor Tsyplakov is immense, not only for his own art but for his role in shaping the future of the Moscow School. As a professor, he mentored a generation of artists who would go on to become masters themselves, including several artists represented by our gallery. His own work is also held in the permanent collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery and the State Russian Museum. For the cLazareollector, acquiring a Tsyplakov is to own a work by a foundational master of Soviet art—a multiple Stalin Prize winner who was also a legendary teacher.
