Vladymer Nikolaevich Lebedev (b. 1925) was a decorated hero of World War II and a prominent painter of the Soviet school whose art was forged by his profound life experiences. During the war, he served as a commander in a heavy artillery battalion, an act of service for which he received the First Rank Award for Participation in World War II and the prestigious Bravery Medal. After the war, he received his artistic training at the State Art Studio for wounded veterans, where he had the fortune to study under world-famous masters such as K.F. Yuon, Titov, and Tsetlin.
Lebedev’s work is a testament to the powerful tradition of Russian Realism, a style he applied to both genre scenes and the landscapes of his homeland. His deep connection to the land he fought to defend is evident in his work from our collection, "Landscape of the Valley". The painting is a masterful and authentic depiction of the Russian countryside, rendered with the confidence and skill of his academic training. The work reflects a sincere appreciation for the peace and enduring beauty of nature, a common and heartfelt theme for the generation of artists who had survived the war.
A member of the All-Soviet Artists' Union, Lebedev's career was marked by numerous state honors, including the Diploma for Artistic Excellence from the Artists' Union and the Medal for Excellence in Creative Work. For the collector, a painting by Lebedev is a powerful and historically significant document of the Soviet era. It is a work by a decorated war hero, whose art is imbued with a unique and profound sense of authenticity.
