Please visit our Gallery at Cambridge Open Studios

Dear friends and art lovers!
Please visit our reception on 24 and 25 th of April at 12- 6 p m for Cambridge, MA, Open Studios. It will take place at 2044, Mass. avenue, at Big Picture Framing, across from Porter Square T station . Plenty of parking is available. Drinks and snacks will be served. All our beautiful etchings will be on display for sale! Please contact us at (617) 7143055! Yours Olesya& Jerry Koenig

Russian Linocut Prints

Linocut prints are made using linoleum as the relief surface instead of the usual copper plate or wood. Making linocut prints dates back to the early 20th Century in Germany. In making a linocut print the artist makes a design on the surface of the linoleum and cuts away the surface not used for printing by using a knife or a chisel. Many well known artists have used this technique in print making such as; Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Jim Pollack.

“From Russia With Art” Gallery in Cambridge has over 30 different linocut prints, made by Russian artists from the Soviet times. They are mostly based on Russian Tales and heroes of these tales. Prints of The Bear, The Wolf, The Three Little Pigs, The Fox and Hen, Maria Tsarevna, Father Frost, along with Winnie The Pooh, The Little Prince, Thumbalina and others are shown in colored, bright linocut prints, which would make a great gift for any child or lover of Russian art.

These linocut prints were created by Russian artists, such as: Alexander Komarov, Ivan Krokhlov and others, mostly in the Moscow Region, between 1960 and into the 1980’s, at the Enterprise of Art Works of the Art Foundation of Russia. This enterprise, unfortunately was closed during the Perestroika period and very few of these original linocut prints are available now.

All of the linocut prints of Russian Tales in our gallery are naive, attractive and very human, somewhat opposite to modern digital technologies of mass produced prints. We have brought a very limited number of these original linocut prints from Moscow, Russia and they can be seen on our blogspot below. They are for sale at “From Russia With Love” Gallery now for $60. each, unframed, plus postage and handling.

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Alexander Vetrov

Alexander Vetrov is considered to be one the best colored needle etching artist in Russia. He was born in 1952, in what was then the Moscow Region and is now an area incorporated into the city of Moscow.

He acquired much of his techniques and skills while a student at the Moscow Art School and later at the Moscow Institute of Print Making. For his excellent work, he was awarded the special status of an “Honored Artist of Russia” by then Russian President, Vladimir Putin in 2002. His works have been shown in numerous exhibitions and shows in such diverse locations as; Moscow, Milan, Italy, Hamburg & Meldorf, Germany, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and Montreal, Canada. His works are detailed pictures, panoramas of difficult but beautiful compositions. He handles details in symphony with nature and the accuracy of what he sees. He uses color tactfully and in a competent, professional manner, which blends into his etchings, without taking away from the etching itself. Scenes of villages, churches in ruins, his home, his mother, in the different seasons of the year, are all captured by the artist discerning eye in his etchings. Some of his best known works are; “Sunflowers In Suzdal,” #26, made in 1989, “Bridge to Native Roots, Autumn” #28, also made in 1989, “Sunny March in Korkino,” #15, made in 1996, “The Road To Church In Late Winter,” #4, made in 1993, “My Childhood Home – Late Spring,” #1 made in 1991, “My Childhood Home – Autumn,” #1, made in 2001, “My Childhood Place,” #3, made in 1993, “Our Blossoming Apple Tree,” #12 made in 2007, “Russian Samovars,” #11 made in 1998, “Flowers For My Love,” #13, made in 2006, “Visions fo My Rucksack, #10, made in 2001,”“Mild January, Saint Vladimir Church,” #22, made in 1993 and “Mild Autumn Silence,” #20, made in 1993. These are but a sampling of the many colored etchings, on display, by Alexander Vetrov.

The “From Russia With Art” Gallery in Cambridge, is the exclusive gallery to see and buy his works in New England. You are welcome to visit our gallery and see the outstanding colored etchings of Alexander Vetrov.

Irina Makoveeva

Irina Makoveeva is considered to be the best animal etching artist in Russia.

She was born in 1954, in the northern Russian City of Arkhangelsk and has lived in the Moscow Region since being a young girl. She studied art at the Moscow Pedagogical Institute, graduating in 1976 and started working as an artist in 1977. In 1981, she completed art courses and graduated from the Moscow House of Journalists. She has always had a fondness for animals and enjoys capturing their images in her etchings. For her prolific and excellent work, she was awarded the special status of an “Honored Artist of Russia” by then Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in 2005. She is also a member of the Russian Artists Union, since 1981, which counts among its members the best Russian artists. Her works have been shown in numerous exhibitions and shows in such diverse locations as; Moscow, Saint Petersburg, La Valetta, Malta, Varna, Bulgaria, Barcelona, Spain, Bonn, Germany, Paris, France, Milan, Italy, as well as over six shows or exhibitions in London. In 2005, at the 12th Annual International Awards and Exhibitions Show in Australia, Irina was awarded the top prize for the best miniature etching, Edipo, #310. In 2008, as a reward for her excellent work, she was given a stipend by the Russian Ministry of Culture. For the past five years, in conjunction with Moscow House of Graphics, Irina teaches young artists and organizes competitions, as well as cooperating with the Russian Culture TV channel. She also hosts a TV show, “Bibigon” on Russian Childrens TV chanel. In 2008, she received a medal from the Moscow Association of Hunters and Fishermen, for her etching series on “Hunting Dogs.” Her works on wild animals, many of the different breeds of dogs and cats, farm animals, birds and different types of insects are exceptional. Some of our favorites, in addition to “Edipo” are the “Hen & Chicks,” #339, Company of Bullfinches, #145, “A Trio of Bullfinches on A Branch,” #176, and “Five Bullfinches,” #356. Her etchings of cats and dogs show them as they are not usually shown. She also shows various wild animals in nature, from hunting prey, to nurturing their offspring, as well as sleeping and eating. In addition her works on insects are different and exceptionally excellent. Irina has permanent exhibitions at the Pushkin State Art Museum, the Darvin State Museum, Timiryazev State Biological Museum and in the Etchings and Art Department of the Russian State Library. The above are but a sampling of the numerous etchings by Irina Makoveeva on display.

The “From Russia With Art” Gallery, in Cambridge, is the exclusive gallery to see and buy her works in New England. You are welcome to visit our gallery and see the many beautiful colored animal etchings of Irina Makoveeva.