Viktor Zaretsky (1925-1990) was an artist and teacher who painted in the styles of neo-modernism and realism. He took a lot from Vrubel 's Art Nouveau and Klimt's Secession, but at the same time he said that an artist cannot become an artist without an academic school; first one should thoroughly study the basic fundamentals of painting, and then look for one's own way in art.
A woman is always a woman
And he was very diligent, he treated his studies with a kind of extreme zeal, saying that sometimes he even fell off his chair from fatigue. So it is not surprising that in his art institute was among the best, although he entered there late - already at 22 years old, having served in the army. However, the service did not discourage the desire to paint, rather helped to bring up his character. He knew a lot about artists of different epochs and the peculiarities of their work, all that was left was to put this knowledge into practice.
Spring has come
Zaretsky spent his childhood in Donbass, and he fell in love with these regions forever, and later returned there many times, painting familiar views and standard for the Soviet era paintings on industrial themes, praising the triumph of socialism. But Zaretsky was not an ardent supporter of the Soviet system and an outright opportunist, he always tried to write what was interesting to him and did not strictly follow the canons approved from above. On the wave of Khrushchev's thaw, he created paintings that were quite unusual for Soviet painting, such as "Twist" and "In a Café".
Twist
Zaretsky was primarily interested in ordinary people with their interests and entertainment, he was one of the first in painting decided to show that, in addition to the construction of communism, there are also dances, and sitting in cafes, that is, all the components of normal life, which especially ardent adherents of socialism decided to write in the "petty bourgeois elements", worthy of only universal condemnation.
August
He married the human rights activist and artist Alla Gorskaya and became a member of the bohemian crowd. However, new acquaintances demanded more active participation in public life, the need to openly express his opinion, even if it differed from that of the party. Zaretsky signed a letter in defense of several dissidents, but soon received a warning from "responsible comrades" that he would be expelled from the Union of Artists and, in general, he would have to write in a desk and barely make ends meet, not counting on exhibitions and good orders.
Girls
Zaretsky did not want to ruin his career for the sake of some little-known dissidents, so he withdrew his signature and decided that "an artist should stay away from politics".
Lilac
There was in the life of Zaretsky and a real tragedy. His wife Alla Gorskaya went on business, and a few days later found her corpse with injuries incompatible with life. The case was frankly dark and incomprehensible, the main suspicion fell on Zaretsky's father, who, according to the investigation, realized what he had done and committed suicide. But too many questions remained - Zaretsky's father with Alla Gorskaya really did not get along too well, but he had recently suffered a stroke and could hardly cope with a strong and young woman.
Many turned away from the artist, rumored that he himself was involved in the murder. Zaretsky sincerely grieved for his murdered wife, and expressed his feelings in her stunning posthumous portraits.
A bright soul. In memory of Alla Gorskaya
Later Zaretsky married Maya Zaretskaya, the daughter of his institute teacher. More and more money was needed, so he moonlighted as best he could - he gave then forbidden private painting lessons, his father-in-law had a lot of influence in law enforcement agencies, and traded, according to art critics, "naked lubok", which nevertheless sold like hotcakes and brought a good income.
Philly coffee. Olesya
And he also increasingly tried to imitate Gustav Klimt, sometimes openly copying his best paintings, in particular, the famous "Kiss". And for himself and for his soul he created real "little masterpieces", such as "First Love" and "Lilacs".
First love
Zaretsky died of cancer. Seeing no salvation in traditional treatment, went to herbalists and psychics, even believed himself in his paranormal abilities. However, that was the time, it was not by chance that Chumak and Kashpirovsky gathered millions of people in front of TV screens.
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