Kravtsov Nikolai

Birht Date:

1934-1980

Education:

1952-1958 : Odessa` art college

Projects:

no information aviable

Exhibitions:

Took part at regional and republicain exhibitions

Professional org attended:

Since 1968 member of USSR` Artists Union

Blossoming of work of N.F.Kravtsov (1934-1980), the known Donetsk artist of second half XX century is showed for the period of evolution of " severe style » in USSR which have prolonged almost two decades from the end 1950 prior to the beginning of 1970th years. And not incidentally now, when all over the world there was an interest to the phenomenon of " severe style » as phenomenon of a method of socialist realism, not ordinary art of this artist requires new consideration and studying. In Ukraine « severe style », undoubtedly, had the character, having expressed more in formal graphic language. But the ideological program completely coincided with the last to regulations of a party and the government.

Here again « severe style » has acted as protest reaction to « lyrical impressionism » thawing weather (Mlinkov, Khruschev), became a cultural revolution in struggle against "platitude", "narrow-mindedness" and "materialism". There is a cult "severe", that is deprived any illusions, uncompromising and ruthless "truth" about the person, history and even the nature (the deserted and gloomy nature of " severe style », that radically differs from проcтого a socialist realism with his solar idyll). Any miracles - only work. In painting of " severe style » isolation and dissociation prevail absorption in his self. Absence of an optimistic openness, naivety and infantilism.

N.Kravtsov was born in Alexeevo-Orlovka Miner's area of Donetsk region. In the childhood it has gone through all burdens of war. After it the family where grew four children, has remained without the father.

Nikolay early had to begin a working career. In 1952-1958 Kravtsov studied in the Odessa art school. However, his work is connected with Donetsk edge. Worked much. Took part all over again in regional, and then in republican exhibitions. Since 1968 he is a member of the Union of artists of the USSR. The artist goes on the country, working on percussions builds in Donetsk region. Travelled across Crimea, on Caucasus, the North and an average strip of Russia. His way has tragically broken in mine where N.Kravtsov worked with group of artists. So has developed, that the pictures of the artist presented at an exhibition 1960-70th years give us full and bright impression about creative searches and character of his painting, undoubtedly, talented and not ordinary creator.

The specific character of his painting was very brightly showed in influence of " severe style » on his works, whether these are landscapes, portraits or still-lifes. The main things still have domination of aestetism " good painting » - within the limits of « severe style ».

It was showed especially in landscapes of the artist where « severity and rigidity » style, characteristic for his still-lifes on geological subject matter and "industries", is reached not by cold, almost monochrome colour, and owing to bright color, contrast voice-frequency parities. These are landscapes with greater color spots which contrasting with each other, create a pressure. Thus in his picturesque to scale it is hardly caught, it is more likely felt, heat, softness, received it since time of study in the Odessa art school. In these warm, bribing by the seeming simplicity and naivety that landscapes it is concluded powerful picturesque expression, potential and aspiration to integrity.

These contrasts of a rhythm, lines, colors sound in its repeatedly represented panoramic types of the Saur-tomb, seat of fighting battles on Donetsk region, with their infinite distances and hills.

Work, the main subject matter of socialist realism and, certainly, « severe style ».

In relation to an external world work as « conquest of the nature ». Builders, geologists and petroleum experts - heroes of a taiga, mountains and the seas, dams and derricks here prevail. More often in a basis of a similar lays a plot of heroic opposition of the person and the wild nature. « It is not necessary to wait for favour by nature, to take them from it - our problem »; invasion into his bowels, extraction of natural minerals or variation of natural current of the rivers. Also interest to work of geologists, idea of transformation of the nature and the world is not accidental here to provide the foundation for still-lifes « Donetsk minerals », « the Table of the geologist ».

Nikolay Fedorovich Kravtsov's works became one of major landmarks in history of the Ukrainian art of second half XX century. And, in my opinion, requires the new approach to his studying and perception.

Beskorovajnaja Elena, the critic, expert.