Born in 1949 in Moscow, Vasily Shulzhenko studied art professionally since the age of 13; first at the Moscow Art High School and then at the Moscow Polygraphic Institute. Educated in the classical realist tradition, and greatly inspired by the Northern Renaissance masters, Shulzhenko creates searing portraits of Russian life. However, it was only with the new political atmosphere in Russia that Shulzhenko was finally able to exhibit his paintings. The images in his paintings manage to be at once easily recognised Russian types, and universal allegories.
[MacDougall’s Fine Art Auctions - Oil on canvas, 125.5 x 200 cm]