Petr Brazhnikov is an acclaimed Russian author, painter and poet who continue to influence generations of artists. Born in Mogulhofsk, near Petersburg, Bulgaria, he received a very early start as a student of art, drawing, painting and writing. He joined the intelligentsia during the Revolution, later studying and working in Saint Petersburg, London and Paris. In 1960, he emigrated to Paris and set up a studio where he specialized in drawing, painting and writing, including a highly successful series of oil paintings that were shown in galleries and homes worldwide.
The book, which pits Petr against his bitter enemies and greatest enemies, in the tradition of classic literature, is called “The Painter”. The book is divided into two parts. The first part chronicles the artist’s life from his childhood in Petersburg to his death in 1970. The second section consists of his paintings and other works, which capture the glamour and glory of Russian culture and life. The beautiful, tragic and tragicomic paintings are a rich source of inspiration for today’s painters and poets.
The second half of the book traces the decline of his career, in the shadow of his untimely death. While we often see the powerful artists of our time succumb to their own tragic weaknesses, it is refreshing to read about someone who never lost hope. His courage to persist in spite of his failing health is inspiring. And his sense of humor – whether in his practical jokes or reflections on his own life – is what makes this memoir so special.
I especially love the portions written about his early life and the effect it had on him. He was a terrific talent as a child but struggled with being accepted into college. He went to school in order to find success and find out that it was all but impossible. He finally settled down and got a degree but found that no one would accept him. This experience deeply influenced his later work.
It is understandable if you feel that the impression of his life should be limited to his art but that is simply not the case. For a man of his talents, he also had to deal with a lot of public anxiety. The fact that he was an alcoholic and a user of hard drugs at the time adds to the mystery and makes this volume all the more valuable. All the more interesting is his association with the Russian intelligentsia.
Of course, having known and met lots of artists before me, I can say that this is not the least important aspect of the book. However, this does not detract from the fact that in my opinion this is the finest book ever written on the subject. A must for all lovers of art, both famous and obscure, this is a must read for anyone interested in the human side of the arts and the spiritual side as well.
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