Raisa Smirnova

Born: 1935, Morshan-Lyadovka (Voronezh Region)
Died: 1996, Palekh (Ivanovo Region)

Varnished miniature painter, icon painter, theatrical designer, book designer. Born in the family of Alexei Smirnov in the village of Morshan-Lyadovka in Voronezh (now Tambov) Region (1935). Studied under Alexander Borunov at the Palekh School of Art (1952–57). Lived and worked in Palekh (1957–60). Designed for the Kemerovsk Theatre of Musical Comedy (1960–63). Returned to Palekh (1963), where she worked at the Palekh Studios of Art and Industry (1963–89). Member of the Union of Artists (1971). Painted icons for the iconostasis of the Church of St Elijah the Prophet in Palekh (1991–92). Died and buried in Palekh (1996). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1964), including Fairytales in Russia at the Russian Museum in St Petersburg (2000).

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