Olga Yefimova painted King Lear in 1968-1969. The artist depicted director Grigory Kozintsev and actor Juri Jarvet on the set of the film. She used tempera on canvas to create a double portrait, showing the two men against the background of the stage set.
King Lear is a Soviet black-and-white film based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name. The film was shot at the Lenfilm studio in 1970. The movie received numerous prestigious awards. The leading role was played by Soviet-Estonian actor Juri Jarvet. After the film came out, art critics nominated Yarvet the best Lear in the history of the USSR.
Olga Yefimova painted portraits, landscapes, genre and still-life paintings. Her works include numerous portraits of famous artists: Portrait of actress Lidiya Davydova with a group of vocalists of the Madrigal ensemble; Director Georgy Tovstonogov at the rehearsal of ‘The Divine Comedy’ by Isidore Schtok; Spanish woman. Portrait of the RSFSR People’s Artist Nina Mirimanova; Group portrait of the Obraztsov Theatre actors.
Olga Yefimova used the oil and tempera techniques in her work. Since 1959, she participated in various exhibitions. Her works were exhibited on a par with paintings by the leading artisans of Leningrad. The artist’s pictures are currently held in museums and private collections in Russia and abroad.
King Lear is a Soviet black-and-white film based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name. The film was shot at the Lenfilm studio in 1970. The movie received numerous prestigious awards. The leading role was played by Soviet-Estonian actor Juri Jarvet. After the film came out, art critics nominated Yarvet the best Lear in the history of the USSR.
King Lear is a character who transforms from a tyrant into a wise man. At first, Juri Jarvet auditioned for another role. He wished to play the part of Poor Tom, a crazy beggar. However, during the audition his eyes and acting were so expressive that the actor was invited to audition for the leading part. As King Lear, he was approved unanimously. Olga Yefimova depicted the actor with long, loose gray hair, wearing a stage costume that has a fur trim running across the shoulders.
To the left of Juri Jarvet stands director Grigory Kozintsev, dressed in a blue tracksuit. Grigory Kozintsev passed away three years after the release of King Lear. He died in Leningrad in 1973. The artist captured the moment of the director’s work on his last film. Therefore, the picture is important both as a work of art and a historical document.
Olga Yefimova painted portraits, landscapes, genre and still-life paintings. Her works include numerous portraits of famous artists: Portrait of actress Lidiya Davydova with a group of vocalists of the Madrigal ensemble; Director Georgy Tovstonogov at the rehearsal of ‘The Divine Comedy’ by Isidore Schtok; Spanish woman. Portrait of the RSFSR People’s Artist Nina Mirimanova; Group portrait of the Obraztsov Theatre actors.
Olga Yefimova used the oil and tempera techniques in her work. Since 1959, she participated in various exhibitions. Her works were exhibited on a par with paintings by the leading artisans of Leningrad. The artist’s pictures are currently held in museums and private collections in Russia and abroad.
