The Kugach Dynasty of Artists. Painting. Realism Automatic translate

The Russian Academy of Arts presents the exhibition "The Kugach Dynasty of Artists. Painting. Realism." The exhibition will showcase the extensive and diverse creative legacy of these artists, united not only by blood relationship and a shared surname, but also by a sincere love for their homeland: Yuri Petrovich Kugach (1917-2013), Full Member of the Russian Academy of Arts; Mikhail Yuryevich Kugach, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts; and Ivan Mikhailovich Kugach, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.

This renowned artistic dynasty has existed for over a century. Life changes rapidly, and grand historical events and individual destinies are consigned to history. Painting’s themes, language, and artistic techniques also evolve. Each representative of the three generations of the Kugach family possesses an individual, recognizable style. However, there is an invisible yet strong thread that connects them — a commitment to the traditions of the national school of painting, established by the dynasty’s founder, People’s Artist of the USSR, full member of the Russian Academy of Arts, and laureate of the USSR and RSFSR State Prizes, Yuri Kugach (1917-2013).

"The language of art must be as beautiful as life… Beauty was created by nature long before man, and the artist’s task is to reverently convey it to the viewer… Art consists in using images of familiar, understandable reality to evoke in the viewer a flash of emotion that leads to profound thoughts. This is the essence of art," the artist noted.

An outstanding master, one of the foremost continuers of the traditions of the Russian realistic school of painting, Yuri Petrovich created his own, recognizable, and unique world. It is inhabited by strong and beautiful people. The men there are stern and calm, the women spiritually beautiful. Children’s faces are bright, the elderly have wise eyes and heavy hands. Everyday life in this world is simple and understandable: farm labor, household chores, weddings, births, final farewells… And how beautiful nature is here! With such reverence the artist treats every aspect of it! With each work, the artist seems to tell us: this is how life should be on this earth. There is no moralizing here — only the wise gaze of a talented man who is strict with himself and others. The works of Yuri Kugach have become classics of Russian art and are included in the collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, and other major Russian and international museums.

Honored Artist of Russia and Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, Mikhail Kugach (b. 1939) continued the creative principles of his father and teacher, maintaining the depth and moral purity inherent in his art. Mikhail Yuryevich’s work is a striking example of conscious adherence to the great traditions of the Russian realist school. His works are distinguished by a unique spiritual insight and emotional and meaningful significance — whether landscapes with their unmistakably discovered and masterfully conveyed states of nature, expressive genre compositions, psychological portraits, or magnificent still lifes. They are imbued with a profound philosophical understanding of the world, while simultaneously possessing a distinctly national content.

Each painting by Mikhail Kugach is imbued with a sincere love for his native land. It’s no exaggeration to say that his work contains a powerful call to preserve our roots. It’s no coincidence that the artist pays particular attention to turning points in Russian history. Thus, the unforgettable image of a soldier returning from war unites a wide range of emotions: following the artist, we feel pride and gratitude, immense fatigue and the pain of loss, yet at the same time, a great joy for life and hope. Thus, through their powerful emotional impact, the artist’s paintings instill true patriotism in viewers. Kugach’s works are included in the collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Kazan Art Museum, and other museums in Russia and abroad.

The third generation of the dynasty is represented by the works of Ivan Kugach (b. 1972), a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts. Having inherited his grandfather and father’s love of fine art and artistic talent, he continues their traditions, celebrating the lives of ordinary people and the beauty of nature. Ivan Mikhailovich works in the genres of interiors, still lifes, portraits, and landscapes. His works are distinguished by their masterful realistic execution and subtle conveyance of emotional states. Kugach’s paintings are successfully exhibited in Russia and abroad, and several of his works are in collections in England, Spain, Germany, Israel, Switzerland, Austria, and Japan.

The text was prepared based on the article by G. Loevskaya.