Ivan Nikiforovich Pospelov was born in Novokuznetsk, in 1946, and has lived in Mezhdurechensk since 1950. Ivan Pospelov first seriously studied drawing, painting and composition in the Mezhdurechensk School of Art. But, after graduating, he put down his brush and paints for a long time. Instead, he brought up his children, and studied in an evening school and in the Institute of Mine Construction. He worked as a tunneling machine
operator, shaft miner, and high-voltage electrician. After his retirement he became an state warden in the Kuznetsk Alatau national nature reserve. He still works there on a part-time basis.
It was his love for nature that motivated Ivan Pospelov to start painting again. Landscapes became his favorite genre. In his paintings he depicts the scenery of the Mountain Shoria, Khakassia and Altai regions of Siberia. The Russian birch trees, the young fir trees growing close by, the gentle mountain streams reflecting the snow- white clouds, and the spring thaw holes in the forest — all these are brought to life by the artist’s brush and resonate with the viewer. His favorite month is September, and so naturally autumn landscapes are a major theme in his work.
In his painting Before the Patrol, the artist depicts government wardens in the Kuznetsk Alatau national nature reserve, in a scene which highlights the conditions in which they work and the special nature of their job. The wardens from one of the guard posts are preparing for an inspection of their section of the reserve. In the
foreground we see snowmobiles ready for the patrol — these vehicles are essential in winter, as they enable the wardens to travel around the snow-covered landscape freely.
The figures in the painting, chatting before they start their journey, are shown against a background of grand, majestic nature. Around the guard post we see ancient fir trees and a mature birch tree stretching towards the sky. Above the forest, and as if scraped by the fir trees, we see clouds scudding across the sky.
The painting is full of light and fresh air. The painter’s depiction of the endless snow drifts, the bright sunlight and the deep blue sky fills viewers with a sense of love for the Siberian winter landscape, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of this nature reserve to the full.
The Kuznetsk Alatau national nature reserve, which inspired the artist to paint this picture, was founded in 1989. It covers about 400,000 hectares, and includes forest, lakes, rivers, ancient rock faces and many unique protected plants and animals.
The official wardens of the Kuznetsk Alatau nature reserve guard the territory all the year, protecting it from access by unauthorized persons and preventing anyone from disturbing the peace and quiet of nature. Their main goal is to prevent poaching. The wardens’ obligations also include educating the public about ecology, as well as taking visitors — who come here from all over the world to enjoy the park’s beauty and grandeur — on excursions by land or water. Currently 28 state wardens, each responsible for an area of 24,000 hectares, work in the Kuznetsk Alatau reserve. Ivan Pospelov’s painting, Before the Patrol, enables viewers to imagine how the reserve staff live and the conditions in which they work.
It was his love for nature that motivated Ivan Pospelov to start painting again. Landscapes became his favorite genre. In his paintings he depicts the scenery of the Mountain Shoria, Khakassia and Altai regions of Siberia. The Russian birch trees, the young fir trees growing close by, the gentle mountain streams reflecting the snow- white clouds, and the spring thaw holes in the forest — all these are brought to life by the artist’s brush and resonate with the viewer. His favorite month is September, and so naturally autumn landscapes are a major theme in his work.
In his painting Before the Patrol, the artist depicts government wardens in the Kuznetsk Alatau national nature reserve, in a scene which highlights the conditions in which they work and the special nature of their job. The wardens from one of the guard posts are preparing for an inspection of their section of the reserve. In the
foreground we see snowmobiles ready for the patrol — these vehicles are essential in winter, as they enable the wardens to travel around the snow-covered landscape freely.
The figures in the painting, chatting before they start their journey, are shown against a background of grand, majestic nature. Around the guard post we see ancient fir trees and a mature birch tree stretching towards the sky. Above the forest, and as if scraped by the fir trees, we see clouds scudding across the sky.
The painting is full of light and fresh air. The painter’s depiction of the endless snow drifts, the bright sunlight and the deep blue sky fills viewers with a sense of love for the Siberian winter landscape, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of this nature reserve to the full.
The Kuznetsk Alatau national nature reserve, which inspired the artist to paint this picture, was founded in 1989. It covers about 400,000 hectares, and includes forest, lakes, rivers, ancient rock faces and many unique protected plants and animals.
The official wardens of the Kuznetsk Alatau nature reserve guard the territory all the year, protecting it from access by unauthorized persons and preventing anyone from disturbing the peace and quiet of nature. Their main goal is to prevent poaching. The wardens’ obligations also include educating the public about ecology, as well as taking visitors — who come here from all over the world to enjoy the park’s beauty and grandeur — on excursions by land or water. Currently 28 state wardens, each responsible for an area of 24,000 hectares, work in the Kuznetsk Alatau reserve. Ivan Pospelov’s painting, Before the Patrol, enables viewers to imagine how the reserve staff live and the conditions in which they work.
