Konstantin Rotov (1902-1959) was a Soviet cartoonist with a very difficult fate, who was sentenced to 8 years in prison for caricature. Neither his status as an already recognized master caricaturist, nor his participation in major exhibitions, nor the publication of his drawings in the leading Soviet satirical magazines helped. In this article we will talk about what kind of caricature it was, about the life and work of this talented artist.
The Bowser
Rotov was born in Rostov-on-Don. Since childhood he loved to draw, and preferred not classical paintings from museums, especially since at that time he did not see them in person, but cartoons that were printed in all kinds of magazines, his father was an employee and often brought home another issue, taken “to read”. When Kostya grew up, he looked through all the periodicals available to him in search of caricatures, trying to understand how to draw them correctly. Already at the age of 14, he began to cooperate with the local Rostov press, and a year later his drawing appeared in the St. Petersburg humor magazine “Beach”.
Bitter resentment. "Fired... For drunkenness, they say. So what?! People like me don't lie in the streets...
After the revolution of 1917, Rotov began to draw all sorts of propaganda brochures, and then entered the Leningrad Academy of Arts. But he did not like it there too much - professors of the old school taught him according to pre-revolutionary methods, everything was too formal and academic, not at all the way Rothov wanted to draw. Therefore, he left the Academy without much regret and moved to Moscow, good offered a good “hack job” in the illustration of children's books.
Tabor “wild” on the Black Sea coast
But still, the main success of Rotov brought cartoons. He became a legend of the magazine “Crocodile”, the first issue of which was published in 1922. However, one “Crocodile” Rotov was not limited to, he cooperated with all the leading Soviet publications. His caricatures were favorably characterized by brevity, topicality, good drawing, the ability to express the essence without being distracted by unnecessary details.
And they say it's dangerous to walk on the sidewalk.
And they were also funny and even now do not seem hopelessly outdated - still really quality humor universal, understandable to all people in any era, and many things that laughed Rothov, has not lost its relevance. Well, do we not have drunks, climbing under the wheels of cars pedestrians, very self-respecting bosses and their sycophants, ready to serve the slightest desire of the “big man”?
The first departure of the bosses on skis
Rothov could draw live, clearly visualizing the whole drawing in his head, without wasting time on preliminary sketches. But the main thing in caricature is an idea and a sense of humor, and with them Rotov was fine. Sometimes successful artwork was born in the most unexpected places, for example, at a boring meeting, when during the next speech the cartoonist quickly sketched a drawing in which two participants fell asleep from the monotonous and meaningless report, and in order not to give themselves away, over the glass of their glasses attached pre-prepared drawn eyes.
A few years later on the streets of Moscow
But one day in June 1940, Rothov's house was searched, after which he was accused of working for German intelligence and simultaneously denigrating the Soviet system in his cartoons. As evidence, they found the caricature “Closed for Lunch,” where Rotov depicted a horse eating oats while sparrows sat on its back and patiently waited for new “horse apples.” The cartoon was not even published, but it played its role as proof of slander against Soviet power and commerce.
I made this caricature in 1934 or 1935 (I do not remember exactly). I request that this drawing be attached to the interrogation report of May 31, 1954. K. Rotov. May 31, 1954.
Well, the main charge was espionage, on which he was convicted under Article 58. Rotov served time in Sukhanovsk prison, and then he was transferred to Usolskiy correctional labor camp. In the camp, he not only worked at the logging site, but also drew caricatures and decorated camp stands, so he did not lose the necessary skills. And cooperation with the nationally favorite “Krokodil” and the creation of the famous drawing “Scandal in the Kitchen” made Rotov famous and respected among the prisoners.
Scandal in the kitchen
One day one of them stole a warm shirt, a vital item for the cold winter. Rothov went to the pakhan and soon the shirt was returned, and the culprit was still lying in the camp hospital for a long time. The artist honestly served the entire term “from bell to bell” until he was released.
Working the land primitive man. Drawing made in Usolsk correctional labor camp.
But from Moscow had to go into permanent exile to hell on the heels - the city of Severo-Yeniseisk. And only in 1954 he was fully rehabilitated.
What do you think, did Rotov worked for German intelligence? Write in the comments.
Buy handmade goods or modern art you can on artAlebrio - is an international marketplace for people who want to create, sell, buy and collect unique items and art - buy the best with us artAlebrio.com.
By confirming your order you unconditionally accept these General Conditions of Sale
