The Soviet mystic artist who lived in the XX century and received worldwide recognition only after his death - Konstantin Pavlovich Yanov - today is one of the brightest Russian creators of graphic painting. And his imperishable works are kept mostly in private collections in Russia, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
A native of the Polish city of Plock and a native of a wealthy intelligent family, Konstantin Yanov grew up with three more children, of whom brother Nikolai and sister Vera later also became artists. Thus, the Yanov family presented the world with many works of art, which today have received deserved recognition.
Brief biography of Konstantin Yanov
On June 3 (May 21, O. S.), 1905, the future artist was born in Poland. Father Pavel Nikitich was an engineer on the railway, and mother Anna Petrovna was of merchant origin. From childhood, Kostya showed his artistic inclinations, which was very much supported by his parents. Therefore, after the family moved to St. Petersburg in 1914, he immediately began attending the Society for the Encouragement of Arts (OPH), while studying at the men's gymnasium.
And after graduating from professors Eberling and Schneider in 1920 as an external student, Janov Jr. began to improve his artistic skills at the Academy of Arts (Faculty of Painting). Professors Belyaeva, Rylova and Savinsky became the mentors for the talented student who developed a real genius in him. Here Konstantin Yanov studied together with such, for example, who later became famous artists such as Israel Lizak, Georgy Traugort, Anatoly Kaplan and Valentin Kurdov.
Creative career of an artist
In the period from 1922 to 1924, Konstantin studied in the class of Professor Vakhrameev, who became for him the most dear mentor, the love for whom he carried throughout his life. However, in 1924 he, along with other students of the course, fell under the "purge" on the formal grounds for "non-proletarian origin." It is surprising that after a certain time he was called back (only to the polygraphic faculty), the young talent categorically rejected this proposal. It is precisely the refusal to compromise that is his main character trait, which manifested itself in all of his work.
In the twenties of the twentieth century, Yanov's painting was highly appreciated by Matyushin and Lebedev, which even then eloquently spoke of the undoubted talent of the young artist. However, due to material problems, he began to work at the Belgoskino film studio, which after a while was divided into Lennauchfilm and Lenfilm. It was at Lennauchfilm that Konstantin Yanov worked as an artist and director for forty-five years of continuous creative activity.
Personal life
The only wife of Konstantin Yanov was Natalia Ponomareva (1895 - 1942). Their life together began in 1926 and was filled with love and mutual understanding. The couple often portrayed each other.
There were no children in this family union, but there was a lot of creativity and joy. The war broke the life of this family, since in September 1942 Natalya died of hunger.
Konstantin Yanov lived until he was ninety years old and died of old age in the city on the Neva.
