In difficult years for the country, he painted and sculpted figures filled with peacefulness and kindness. The artist most often chose animals as models.
The unusual talent of this man fits perfectly into the new style that was born in Russia in the first half of the 20th century. Our hero did not seek the glory of a revolutionary, did not disdain to work in the "children's" genres, but everything he did was recognized as daring and innovative both in the author's homeland and abroad.
Childhood
The nobleman Semyon Efimov was proud to have preserved the inheritance of his ancestors. His possessions were modest, but he managed the household skillfully and did not live in poverty. In February 1878 he became a father for the second time. The child was named Ivan. The parent was not worried about the future of the heir, hoping to transfer his wealth to him.
The boy grew up in the family estate of the Efimovs Otradnoye near Lipetsk. From an early age he was given upbringing and education corresponding to his status. The kid became interested in fine arts. Parents were glad of their son's hobby, because having a hobby will help the future landowner not to be bored and reduce the risk of craving for dangerous fun. When the teenager announced that he wanted to get the profession of an artist, none of his relatives were against it.
Youth
In 1896 our hero went to Moscow. Here he began to study at the private school of the famous watercolorist and teacher Nikolai Martynov. His mentor visited the World Exhibition in Paris the following year and returned with a bronze medal, which was awarded to his copies of ancient Russian frescoes. The student dreamed of repeating the teacher's achievement, but his parents hinted that childhood was over, he needed to enter a university.
Vanya did not leave the capital. In 1898 he entered the natural sciences department of Moscow University. Student life did not kill him craving for beauty, after the lectures the guy hurried to the art studio of Elizaveta Zvantseva. The pupil of Ilya Repin invited famous painters and sculptors who taught young people. There, the young man became interested in sculpting. Now he knew that, having received his university degree, he would not go home.
In his element
Ivan Efimov got a job at the Abramtsevo pottery workshop in the Moscow region. Its owner, a rich man and philanthropist Savva Mamontov, willingly received people of art. The creativity of the young seeker interested him and made it possible to expand the range of decorative products produced. The bosses encouraged the participation of their masters in international exhibitions.
The young man began to travel abroad with the aim of training in European workshops, participating in the opening days since 1906. He visited Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. In France, Efimov entered the Accademia Colarossi and in 1908 moved to Paris. Among the students, Vanya met his fellow countrymen. He met the artist Nina Simonovich. Soon they started a family, and the sculptor returned to Russia with his wife. Happiness did not last long - with the outbreak of the First World War, the sculptor went to the front.
Revolutionary ideas
While her husband was defending the Motherland, Nina got acquainted with the variety of Russian folklore. In 1917, she introduced her husband to the Moscow Association of Artists and invited him to join her in creating puppet shows. Ivan was carried away by this unusual idea. After a successful premiere among like-minded people, the couple decided to contribute to children's education. In 1918, they received approval from the Moscow City Council for the creation of the Parsley and Shadows Theater, which existed until 1940.
The couple worked together on the design of books. The head of the family drew cartoons for "Windows of ROST", developed sketches of theatrical costumes and children's toys, looked for new forms of decorative faience sculpture and bronze and concrete monuments. Through relief is considered his invention. In 1930 g. The Moscow Central Museum of Ethnology sent the master on an ethnographic expedition to Bashkiria and Udmurtia, from where he brought many interesting ideas.
Confession
The Soviet country needed a new art that would combine modernity and folklore motives. Ivan Efimov's works met these requirements. The theme of his sculptures, as a rule, was borrowed from nature. It was interesting to fill the city with original animal figures. Efimov's sculptures became the author of the fountain at the Khimki river station. In 1937, his work received the gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.
Efimov's success in his career was surprising. In the 20s. he was entrusted with the leadership of creative associations and circles. In his free time from creative experiments, our hero taught. During the Great Patriotic War, the old professor remained in Moscow. He worked on decorative panels for the Paveletskaya and Avtozavodskaya metro stations.
last years of life
The artist did not grow old at heart. He had the strength for creativity, personal life and social activity. Ivan Efimov devoted a lot of time to his grandchildren, took care of the ecology of his native city. In the hungry post-war years, he was often visited by peasants who lived on the lands that belonged to his father. The poor did not see the difference in the biographies of Ivan and his father and expected help and wise instructions from the master's son. The old man did not refuse them this.
The honorary title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR to Ivan Efimov was awarded in 1955. Three years later he received an award at the World Exhibition in Brussels. The talented sculptor died in 1959. His works can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery and other equally significant museums.
