An exhibition of paintings from the personal collection of K. B. Ignatiev titled “Yuri Zharkov (1949–2021). People's Artist of Russia.” The exhibition is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the master's birth, whose work has become an important part of the national artistic tradition.
Yuri Dmitrievich Zharkov was an artist with a unique creative style, recognizable to the general public. His "broad stroke" technique allowed him to convey the depth and emotional richness of various subjects. Throughout his career, he was not afraid to experiment, working in different genres and styles. Yuri Zharkov became not only a leading figure but also an authoritative mentor for artists of the Yaroslavl branch of the Union of Artists of Russia, earning recognition both at home and abroad.
The artist gained worldwide fame for his landscapes, reflecting the beauty of central Russia. The Volga River held a special place in his works — this river inspired him time and again. During annual plein airs in Plyos, Yuri Dmitrievich created unique evening and night views. Among his most striking works are “Moon. Goat and Woman” and “Plyos. Courtyard,” which have rightfully become gems of museum and private collections. His painting “Golden Evening in Plyos” is a symbol of the harmony between nature and art. In addition to Plyos, he depicted landscapes of Yaroslavl, Saint Petersburg, Vologda, Yuryevets, Tutayev, and Vyatskoye.
Still lifes also hold an important place in Zharkov's work, where he masterfully combined traditional genres with experimental solutions. One such work is “Still Life Against a Landscape.” The exhibition will feature his famous “Still Life with Fish,” which is part of a diptych highly praised at a major exhibition in the capital. The exhibition also presents two self-portraits of the master, created at different times in his life.
Yuri Zharkov's works are housed in major museums in Russia, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, as well as museums in Yaroslavl, Plyos, Rybinsk, Pereslavl, and other cities. His work is represented in collections in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, China, and other countries, highlighting his significance in world art.
This exhibition will be a rare opportunity to see the works of a master who managed to reveal the beauty of the Russian landscape in a new way and create works filled with soul and character.
