Alexander Grigoriev

Artist. Born in the family of Vladimir Grigoriev in the village of Pertnury in Kazan Province (15/27 May 1891). Studied under Nicolai Fechin at the Kazan School of Art (1910–15) and under Abram Arkhipov and Ilya Mashkov at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (1915–17). Engaged in political, social and artistic work (1918–30). Head of the local department of education and then chairman of the district Party committee in Kozmodemyansk (from 1918). Founded the Kozmodemyansk Free State Art Studios (1919) and the Gorno-Mari Museum of Art and History. Created an outstanding collection of art for the museum, which bore his name (until 1938 and from 1966). Founding member of the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia (1922) and the Union of Artists. Visited Ilya Repin in Finland with Isaac Brodsky, Yevgeny Katsman and Pavel Radimov. Contributed to exhibitions in Cologne (1929), held a one-man show in Moscow (1935). Arrested on the basis of a false accusation made by a fellow member of the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia (1938). Accused of Trotskyism because of his acquaintance with Leon Trotsky’s wife, who often visited his exhibitions. Served part of his sentence in Karlag (late 1940s). Worked as an industrial designer. Released (1949). Rehabilitated (1954). Moved to Tarusa in Kaluga Region. Painted still-lifes and landscapes. Died in Tarusa (23 August 1961). Buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow. Posthumously awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Mari Autonomous Republic (1960). Contributed to exhibitions in Kazan (from 1914).