Evgeni Chuikov

Lake in the Woods

1998

Evgeni Chuikov was a master Impressionist during the Soviet Era and after. His lyrical impressionism was highly celebrated even though it went against the official art style of the Soviet Union, socialist realism. His works are easily identifiable by the brushwork and palette. Chuikov was born in the village of Nizhni Ryaut near Kursk, Russia in 1924. Although his formal art education was limited, Chuikov was an important member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine and served as Chairman of the Union of Zaporozhe Artists for 15 years. Known primarily for his vivid landscapes, Chuikov studied extensively under fellow Zaporozhye artist Georgi Kolosovski (1913–85), a noted landscape painter who began private teaching shortly after World War II. Kolosovski’s influence on Chuikov’s works may be seen in both his fresh and bright palette and his expressive, confident brushstrokes. Both Impressionists acknowledged being significantly influenced by the famed French Impressionists. Chuikov further acknowledged being influenced by Scottish colorists and American landscape painters. All these factors contributed to the beautiful and joyous landscapes consistently painted by Chuikov. The talented artist painted with many of Ukraine’s most noted artists, including Kolosovski and Yuri Simonov. Chuikov was highly respected in Ukraine/Russia throughout his career. In 1995, he was awarded the title of People’s Artist, the highest accolade for artists in Ukraine and Russia. More recently, Ukraine renamed the Annual State Prize for Painting of the Zaporizhzhia Region the Evgeni Chuikov Prize. Chuikov, a decorated hero of World War II, died at his home in Zaporozhe in March 2000. He is listed in Matthew Bown’s, A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Russian and Soviet Painters, 1900–1980s.