Grigori Sretensky

Grigori Sretensky

Still Life with Samovar (framed), 1969 | 38 x 46 "

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grigori Sretensky

Violin, 1969 | 38 x 46 "

 

 

 

 

 

 

Born in Zamoskvorechie, a neighborhood of Moscow, and despite his very early exhibition of artistic ability, Grigori Sretensky’s father, an orthodox priest and archeologist, did not support his son’s artistic aspiration. Thus it was, at the age of 18, Grigori graduated from Moscow’s religious seminary. That same year, however, against his father’s wishes, he enrolled in Moscow State University’s department of history philosophy. He again broke with his father’s wishes, studying at the Moscow Free Art Studios/ VKHUTEMAS under Petr Kontchalovski until 1921.

The same year, he along with other graduates of VKHUTEMAS founded the artistic group Bytie ‘Existence’. Sretenski organized and participated in all of the Bytie’s seven major exhibitions between 1922 and 1929. Overlapiing, between the years of 1927-1932, he was an active member of The Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia (AKHRR), a group created to promote politically engaged realism in art. Sretenski’s showing at the Artists of the Russian Federation Over Fifteen Years exhibition garnered him nationwide acclaim. From 1945 until his death in 1973, he turned his talent to teaching painting in addition to participating in all of the major art exhibitions of the Moscow Union of Artists.

Sretenski’s paintings reveal the distinct influence of Konchalovski’s “Cezannism”, particularly evident in the broad brush mark. Numerous national museums including the State Russian Museum and the Tretyakov State Gallery house his works. Additionally his art work can also be found in various international museums and in private collections around the world.