Lizak Israel Lvovich

Lizak Israel Lvovich

1905, Slavuta, Volyn Province, Ukraine – 1974, Leningrad

Painter, graphic artist, author of portraits, landscapes, and genre paintings. Studied at the School of Drawing, Society for the Encouragement of Arts (1916–1918); State Free Art Studios/VKhUTEMAS/VKhUTEIN (1919–1925) under Vasily Meshkov and Vasily Savinsky (drawing), under Osip Braz and Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin (painting). Attended Alexander Bely’s art studio (1922). Diploma work Man on a Pedestal (Invalid of the Imperialist War) (1925, Russian Museum). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1923). Member and exhibitor of the Community of Artists (1925–1932), Circle of Artists (1926–1930). Member of the Union of Artists (1932). Worked at the newspaper Smena (1930– 1935), State Inspectorate for the Protection of Architectural Monuments in Leningrad (1945). Taught drawing in the Department of Sculpture, Vera Mukhina Higher School of Art and Industry in Leningrad (1946–1948). Worked at research and restoration studios (1952–1956); engaged in painterly and restoration works in cathedrals and palaces in Leningrad and its environs.

Held solo exhibitions in 1967 (Leningrad Branch of the Union of Artists) and 1996 (Russian Museum, catalogue). “In 1923–1924 I studied under Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin for two years in a row, in the 2nd and 3rd years of the Academy of Arts. The students were all differently prepared. They had previously studied under various professors from studios that had been liquidated in 1921-1922, such as Petrov-Vodkin, Rylov, Braz, Savinsky, Kardovsky, Belyaev, and others. Kuzma Sergeevich always acted very warmly towards me. He apparently appreciated the little experience I did have in drawing. He instructed me without trying to tamper with or break me. … [Summer 1930. Detskoe Selo.] When talking about me [Petrov-Vodkin] said that my outstanding characteristic was abruptness, and added “and also black and white” (quote from: “Israel Lizak”. Russian Museum. Palace Editions, St Petersburg, 1996, pp. 41–42).