Ilya Sergeyevich Glazunov (; 10 June 1930 – 9 July 2017) was a Soviet and Russian artist from Saint Petersburg. He was the founder of the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture where he also served as a rector up until his death. He held the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR.

Ilya Glazunov's paintings primarily feature historic or religious themes. His works include Russia the Eternal, The 20th Century Mystery, The Ruining of the Temple on Easter Night, and illustrations to the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Biography

Ilya Glazunov was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) to Sergey Fyodorovich Glazunov and Olga Konstantinovna Glazunova (née Flug). Both of his parents originally belonged to Russian nobility. His father was a historian. As a child, Glazunov attended a children's school of arts, and later a secondary art school in the historical district of Petrogradskaya Storona.

During World War II, he survived the Siege of Leningrad. His father, mother and other relatives died in it. In 1942, the then-eleven-year-old was transported from besieged Leningrad along the Road of Life. He stayed in the village of Greblo in the Novgorod region. In 1944, he returned to Leningrad and studied in the Leningrad Secondary Art School. From 1951 to 1957, he studied art at the Leningrad Repin Institute of Arts under the direction of Professor Boris Ioganson. Glazunov was one of the main advocates behind the restoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and one of the co-founders of the All-Russian Society for Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (VOOPIiK).

Glazunov died from heart failure on 9 July 2017 at the age of 87. He was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery on July 11.

Works

  • The Great Experiment. Glazunov's epic canvas on Russia in the 20th century.
  • "Legend of the Grand Inquisitor" Triptych

Illustrations for F. Dostoyevsky's novel The Brothers Karamazov:

  • Grand Inquisitor. Left portion of the Triptych.
  • Golgotha. Central portion of the Triptych.
  • Dostoyevsky. Night. Right portion of the Triptych.

Honors

A minor planet, 3616 Glazunov, discovered by Soviet astronomer Lyudmila Zhuravleva in 1984, is named after him.

  • Order "For Merit to the Fatherland";
  • 1st class (10 June 2010) - for outstanding contribution to the development of national art, many years of creative and educational activities
  • 2nd class (11 October 2005) - for outstanding achievements in the field of domestic art and education
  • 3rd class (9 June 2000) - for outstanding contribution to the development of national art
  • 4th class (29 May 1995) - for services to the state, achievements in work and significant contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between nations
  • Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1985)
  • People's Artist of the USSR (1980)
  • Honoured Artist of the RSFSR (1973)
  • State Prize of the Russian Federation (1997) - for the restoration of the Moscow Kremlin
  • "For Service to Moscow" insignia - for his great services in the arts and arts education
  • Order of St. Andrei Rublev, 1st class (Russian Orthodox Church, 4 December 2010) - for outstanding contribution to the development of Russian art in the 80th anniversary of his birth
  • Honorary member of the Historical and Patriotic Association "Russian Banner" (1989)
  • Perpetual rector of the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture
  • Member of the Academy of Management in Education and Culture (1997)
  • "The most outstanding artist of the 20th century" in a poll of polls (1999)
  • UNESCO Gold Medal - for "outstanding contribution to world culture"
  • Member of the Russian Academy of Arts (2000)

References

  • About The Ilya Glazunov Art Gallery (In English)