Fortress of Peter and Paul, Leningrad, woodcut by Vladimir Ivanovich Serdyukov

Product Description

Fortress of Peter and Paul, Leningrad, woodcut by Vladimir Ivanovich Serdyukov (Владимир Иванович Сердюков). Vladimir Ivanovich was one of Russia's most celebrated woodcut artists of the latter half of the 20th century. He is best-known for his lyrical depictions of scenes in his native city of St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Sergdyukov (1924-2003) was a talented and highly regarded Soviet and Russian graphic artist, engraver, a master of black-and-white and color woodcuts and book graphics, painter, illustrator and a restorer of boards of famous woodcut artists. He was engaged in book illustration and printmaking. He specialized in xylography (wood engraving). The main themes of his works were "Leningrad landscapes".

This color woodcut is a 1975 work depicting the city’s great Fortress of Peter and Paul (Петропавловская крепость) on a cloudy day, with figures in a small boat in the Neva river. The fortress was the original citadel of St. Petersburg, that was built from 1706 to 1740 as a star fortress and which served as a base for the city garrison and also a prison for political criminals. It has been a museum since 1924. The structure suffered heavy damage during the bombardment of the city during World War II by the Luftwaffe who were laying siege to the city. It has been restored post-war.

Framed in original metal frame and glazed, signed in pencil, on cream colored printmaking paper (эстампная бумага), label verso "Художник РСФСР". The frame is 10¼" x 8¾" and the woodcut is 6½" x 4". The run was 500 pieces. Overall very good, woodcut about fine, metal frame has some rust in the corners on the back. Black marker "redacting" of labels. 1 only.