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Still Life with Lilac |
Open Letter with Pocketwatch |
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VLADIMIR EKIMOV
Russian
Ekimov was born in Smolensk, and at 18 entered Yaroslavl Art College where
he studied the techniques of the old masters of the High Renaissance and
the Northern Renaissance. He displayed particular interest in Dutch painters
of the 17th Century, especially those in the genre of still life.
The still life as a separate genre was formed in Holland in the 17th
Century. Ekimov used this genre as a starting point and went further to
combine two cultural traditions - Dutch and Russian - to form a unique
and rich artistic category. In his paintings he depicts gambling tables
of the beginning 19th Century, covered with smooth, green woolen cloth,
thick, old book volumes scattered in art disorder, and next to them are
letters stamped with sealing wax, paper scrolls of the 17th century…
half-opened and hanging from the table. The whole atmosphere of his painting
is moody… typical for "vanitas" still life pieces. The
rich atmosphere is emphasized by the reflection of the candle, lighting
parts of books, copper statuettes, bells, etc. The candle is the main
character in the majority of his works.
Another point of interest is that the painter started an antique collection
in his early years. All the antique objects we see in his paintings…
dating back to various times… can be found in his still life pieces.
This is a rare case when objects from different epochs can be neighbors.
Ekimov's work was discovered by a Russian art dealer and brought to the
U.S. in 1992. His paintings have been featured in prestigious art magazines
such as "Art and Antiques." Since 1992, his reputation has grown,
and many of his works have been obtained by art collectors all over the
world.
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