The Tambov regional department of the Union of Soviet Artists
was formed in 1938. Now it includes more than 60 artists and
sculptors. Its history started in 1925, when a branch of Revolutionary
Russia Artists Association
was founded in Tambov.
Such the well-known artists
as A.Fonvizin,
V.Belotsvetov,
A.Nesterov,
N.Otnyakin took part in its creation
and development.
Since 1931 to 1937 the
Art school was opened in Tambov.
The well-famous Tambov painters
A.Levshin,
V.Kozhukhov teached at this school.
Later the Art school was united with the Penza Art school. The creative work
of Tambov artists increased during the World War II. A lot of propaganda
placards and paintings illustrating the World War II were created at that
time. The works by T.Yemelyanova
are among them. The monumental canvases
by A.Krasnov
are devoted to the history of Russia. Poetry and beauty of the
Tambov region nature are reflected in pictures by
Ye.Ryabinsky.
Some interesting works by Ye.Soloviov
were represented in the exhibitions at that time.
In the 60s and 70s the canvases by
Ye.Lyapin,
Yu.Novikov,
V.Shemyakin,
V.Semionov and
A.Marinina were on show.
Pictures by the young artists
A.Kharitonov,
I.Limantova,
A.Ryabinsky
supplemented the exhibition collections in the 80s.
The development of sculpture in Tambov is closely
connected with the names of the prominent sculptors
T.Veltsen,
S.Lebedeva
and K.Malofeyev.
Also of interest are the works by
V.Zheltikov, S.Nikitina,
A.Buchnev, S.Kuksov, V.Pribytkov, O.Gushchin, Yu.Zaitsev, V.Koshelev,
B.Olshansky, Yu.Kiseliov, V.Sibirtseva.
Russian applied art is well represented by works of
N.Balagurova,
A.Razina,
V.Pivovarova and
N.Kolykhalova.
In the nineties the ranks of Tambov artists were reinforced by a number
of young masters who had received their training at art schools.
A splendid collection of works by Tambov artists is displayed now in the
Tambov Art Gallery.