musetouch_issue_17

Igor Samsonov
Born in Voronezh, Russia in 1963, Igor Samsonov began drawing when he was six years old
and revealed his talents in his first public exhibition at age ten. Blessed with talent in both
painting and mathematics, Samsonov pursued a duel career in mathematics and art until he
realized that his artistic muse was slowly dying. Applying to the exclusive Academy of Fine
Arts in Saint Petersburg, Samsonov was accepted in 1990 and began his seven years of tutelage
under the finest painters in Russia. During this time Samsonov’s complete immersion
into the art world began to define and sharpen the artistic style that would become his own.
Samsonov’s influence from the early Renaissance period known as the Quattrocentro period
is evident in his work. At this time in art history late Gothic influences were blending with
new 15th century Italian Renaissance sensibilities. Quattrocento artists and sculptors incorporated
the more classic forms developed by Roman and Greek Sculptors. Quattrocentro
artist Piero della Francesca whose style brought a serene humanism to his work is Samsonov’s
favorite from this period. Other influences include15th century Dutch artist Bosch whose
themes dwelled on human sin and moral failings, 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer
whose interior scenes of ordinary bourgeois life seem luminous with his use of translucent
light and 17th century Dutch artist Rembrandt whose treatment of mankind is full of
human empathy and whose work represents the zenith of Dutch Renaissance painting.
Blending modern artistic techniques and influences with Renaissance traditions has in the
words of one museum curator “ created non-derivative works of unique originality and
beauty.” Linda Zimmerman, curator of his recent exhibition in Scottsdale, Arizona says of
Samsonov “he has such a respect for art history and of the Renaissance painters in particular
but his work incorporates strong modern elements of surrealism and mysticism.”
Samsonov’s rich imagination is the source for most of his subjects. Sometimes serious, sometimes
fanciful and sometimes sublime his compositions are the result of great forethought and
draw much or their power from the themes of conflict that he sees as inherent in the human
and natural world. He explains, “There are always natural elements that oppose each other.
Light and dark, young and old, the beautiful and the horrendous, all of my work plays on
these themes.” Samsonov’s work is rich in symbolism. Many symbols are from the early history
of China usually signifying philosophical ideas such as balance and generosity. Samsonov
often incorporates Latin to title a painting and has created a unique alphabet to incorporate
his most private thoughts about a painting into the work.
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academart.com/samsonov