Lev Yudin's art is set to take center stage this winter as the Museum of Petersburg Avant-Garde announces its upcoming exhibition, titled "Pre-War Life in the Graphics of Lev Alexandrovich Yudin." Opening on February 28 and running until March 28, this exhibition will showcase 23 remarkable pieces created by Yudin during the late 1930s.
Born in 1903 in Vitebsk, Yudin studied at the Artistic Practical Institute under the guidance of notable figures like Kazimir Malevich and Anna Ermolaeva. An influential member of the "Unovis" (“Affirmers of New Art”) collective, he later relocated to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) where he continued his artistic pursuits.
At the State Institute of Artistic Culture, which he joined as an assistant teacher until it was shuttered in 1926, Yudin led the form laboratory and explored the principles of cubism. His artistic career was marked by events such as the founding of the Painting-Plastic Realism group from 1927 to 1934, as well as contributions to children’s literature illustrations for the State Publishing House.
When World War II broke out, patriotic fervor compelled him to join the fight, having completed short-term officer training. Tragically, he perished during his first battle on the Leningrad front, mere days after his deployment. Despite being offered protection by the Union of Artists, Yudin deemed it dishonorable to those fighting alongside him.
The exhibition will feature artworks made during the second half of the 1930s including still lifes, everyday sketches, and landscapes capturing the ambiance of Leningrad’s suburbs, particularly Udely. This creative output offers viewers insight not only to the artist's skill but also to the life and culture of pre-war Leningrad.
According to the press service of the cultural institution, "The exhibition will feature 23 drawings and etchings from the late 1930s, including still lifes, domestic sketches, and landscapes depicting the suburbs of Leningrad where the artist lived with his family." The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, highlighting the significant impact of the war on culture and art.
Yudin's life and art serve as poignant reminders of the creative spirit undermined by the war, as well as the human stories behind these artworks. The Museum of Petersburg Avant-Garde invites art lovers and history enthusiasts alike to experience this heartfelt tribute to Yudin's dedication and artistry.