Yuri A. Zvezdkin (1928-1994) was a prominent Moscow-born painter who received a rare and exceptional education at both of the Soviet Union's premier art academies. He first studied painting at the Repin Institute in Leningrad from 1948 to 1951 before transferring to the prestigious Surikov Institute in Moscow. At the Surikov, he studied under a roster of celebrated professors, including P.I. Kotov, V.G. Tsyplakov, and V.K. Nechitalio, graduating in 1954 with an impeccable academic pedigree.
Zvezdkin was a master of the Soviet landscape, a passion he pursued through extensive travels and painting excursions to regions like the Volga and Kama rivers. His work in the Lazare Gallery collection, "Summer in Tarutikye," is a prime example of his artistry. The painting captures the peaceful, lyrical beauty of the Russian countryside in summer, rendered with a rich palette and the confident, realist technique honed by his elite training. The work is a testament to his skill in finding a profound, quiet beauty in the national landscape.
Following his graduation, Zvezdkin was active in Novosibirsk and became a regular participant in major art exhibitions. His work has achieved significant international recognition and can be found today in museums and private collections in Russia as well as in Germany, Sweden, Italy, and the USA. For the collector, a painting by Yuri Zvezdkin offers the unique value of an artist trained at both the Repin and Surikov Institutes. His landscapes are masterful examples of the post-war Soviet school, created by an artist with an unparalleled education.
The artist's works can be found in museums and private collections in Russia and abroad, such as Germany, Sweden, Italy, and the USA.