Landscape by the River

Vladimir Nikolaevich Aralov (1893-1972) was a Soviet artist, painter, and landscape artist. He was a member of the Moscow Union of Artists from 1939. Aralov lived and worked in Moscow. In 1908, he entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he studied under A.E. Arkhipov and A.M. Vasnetsov. He graduated in 1912 from the workshop of A. E. Arkhipov, and his graduation work, "Fishermen," was highly praised by his renowned teacher. He began participating in exhibitions in 1913 and was a member of the group “Assembly” (later “Group of Moscow Artists”). During World War I, he served on the front lines, and in the early years after the October Revolution, he served in the Red Army. He mainly painted landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes. He created several works dedicated to A. P. Chekhov and M. Gorky, as well as a large series of architectural landscapes, "Monuments of Moscow and the Moscow Region," for which he received the First Prize of the RSFSR Art Foundation. His works are characterized by a certain blurriness, elongated forms, and bright colors: "A. P. Chekhov’s House in Yalta" (1939), "Blossoming May" (1939), "Timiryazev Academy" (1944), "Pakhra. Gorki Leninskiye" (1948), the series "Architectural Monuments of Moscow and the Moscow Region" (1961–1962), "Volga Bank," "Ploughland" (1947), "Collective Farm Apiary" (1949), "Winter. Sunny Day" (1961). In 1950, a solo exhibition of the artist was held in Moscow. Aralov’s works are kept in the Museum of the History and Reconstruction of Moscow, the A. Gorky Museum in Moscow, the Novosibirsk Regional Art Gallery, and other museum and private collections. Vladimir Nikolaevich Aralov was born on May 25, 1893, in Moscow. In 1908, the future painter entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he studied under Abram Efimovich Arkhipov (1862-1930) and Apollinari Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (1856-1933). In 1912, he graduated and was awarded the title of artist for his painting "Fishermen." In 1913, Aralov began participating in art exhibitions and also became a member of the art association "Assembly" (later "Group of Moscow Artists"). Vladimir Nikolaevich mainly painted landscapes, with occasional still lifes and genre paintings. At the start of World War I, the painter went to the front; in the first years after the October Revolution, he continued to serve in the Red Army. In the 1930s, Vladimir Nikolaevich resumed active creative work, and by 1939 he became a member of the Moscow Union of Soviet Artists (MUSS). From 1946 to 1955 (with breaks), he participated in All-Union Art Exhibitions in Moscow. In 1950, a personal exhibition of the artist was held in the capital. In the 1950s, Aralov lived in Zagorsk (now Sergiev Posad). In addition to postcard views, he depicted the city’s streets and courtyards, invariably including the domes of the main attraction, the Trinity Sergius Lavra, in the composition. Experts often distinguish these works as a separate "Zagorsk" series. In 1961–1962, Vladimir Nikolaevich created a series "Architectural Monuments of Moscow and the Moscow Region," for which he received the first prize of the USSR Art Fund. The artist often depicted scenes recreating the life and everyday life of pre-Petrine Russia, a love which, as some art critics believe, Aralov inherited from his teacher Apollinari Mikhailovich Vasnetsov—a famous painter and art historian, master of historical architectural reconstructions. Vladimir Nikolaevich Aralov died in Moscow. Today, the artist's works are preserved in the Museum of Moscow, the A. M. Gorky Museum (Moscow), the Chuvash Art Gallery (Cheboksary), Novosibirsk Regional Art Gallery, and other museum and private collections. Chronicle of life: 1893: born on May 25 in Moscow. 1908: entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he studied under Abram Efimovich Arkhipov (1862-1930) and Apollinari Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (1856-1933). 1912: graduated from the school and was awarded the title of artist for the painting "Fishermen." 1913: began participating in art exhibitions, became a member of the "Assembly" art association. 1914–1918: participated in World War I, then continued to serve in the Red Army. 1939: became a member of the Moscow Union of Soviet Artists (MUSS). 1946–1955: participated in All-Union Art Exhibitions in Moscow (with interruptions). 1950: solo exhibition of the artist held in Moscow. 1950s: lived in Zagorsk (now Sergiev Posad). 1961–1962: created the series "Architectural Monuments of Moscow and the Moscow Region." 1962: received the first prize of the Art Fund (AF) of the USSR for the series "Architectural Monuments of Moscow and the Moscow Region." 1972: died in Moscow.