Famous Uzbek painters Plan

Alexander Nikolaev

Boy in a Fur Cap 1924. Plywood tempera. 26 x 22cm

Alexander Nikolayev (1897-1957)

In 1908-1916,Alexander Nikolaev studied at the Sumy Military School near Poltavjq, and then at the Ulan school in Tver. In 1918, he took part in the A. Buchkuri art studio in Voronezh. The following year, he began studying at the second state Free Art Studio in Moscow under K. Malevich, but was called up to the front. After demobilization in 1920, Nikolaev was sent to Tashkent with the Commission of the Turk Central Executive Committee (Turkestan Central Executive Committee) to develop and improve culture and art in this region.

Nikolaev was fascinated by the East and studied all aspects of its culture. Uzbekistan's traditions, lifestyle, crafts and nature inspired the artist throughout his life and influenced his work. After converting to Islam, the artist received a new name Usto-Mumin, which means Faithful Master. While working as the art director of the Uzbek Pavilion at the VDNKh (All-Union Agricultural Exhibition) in Moscow in 1938, Nikolaev was unexpectedly arrested and imprisoned. Initially, in prison, he was not allowed to paint – this caused great suffering for the artist. Nevertheless, in 1943 Nikolaev received a diploma from the Central Executive Committee of the Uzbek SSR for his active work in creating the Uyghur theater. The rest of his life Nikolaev devoted himself to creative and social activities.