The collection of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) contains works by artist Afanasy Osipov. Osipov is a painter, People’s Artist of the USSR, and the winner of the Ilya Repin State Prize of the Russian Federation. He was born on February 28, 1928 in Gorny Ulus in Yakutia. After finishing school and technical school, Osipov went to Moscow to study painting, after which he returned to his homeland. Afanasy Osipov taught at the Yakut art school, traveled a lot around the republic, for many years headed the Union of Artists of Yakutia, and organized exhibitions. He painted pictures of large construction sites in the republic, landscapes, as well as portraits of his countrymen, such as ordinary people and outstanding contemporaries.
The image of Ivan Stepanov, the people’s artist of Russia and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), stands out among the portraits created by the artist. During his lifetime, he became a living legend of the stage by attracting viewers with his charisma and strong voice, i.e. bass. In his performance, Yakut folk songs and arias of world opera classics sound equally powerful. Ivan Stepanov who would be the future Winner of the State Prize named after P.A. Oyunsky was born in the family of a collective farmer. He graduated from the Yakut Art School and even worked as a theater designer for a while. But the desire to become a singer and his bass predetermined his fate. Stepanov graduated from the Vocal Department of the Ural Conservatory named after M.P. Mussorgsky in 1973 and became a soloist of the Yakut Opera and Ballet Theater. The State Prize named after P.A. Oyunsky is the highest award in the field of culture, art, and literature in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It was awarded to Ivan Stepanov in 1980. The singer performed not only in Yakutia, but also toured Canada and Romania, and sang on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.
On a large-format canvas, the singer is depicted in a dynamic pose as if he is performing in front of the audience. The originality of the hero’s personality is revealed through facial plastics and hand movement. It seems that the singer is now performing a classical aria and will wave his hands, thus emphasizing the transition and emotionality in the work. The color of the background of the picture in red velvet echoes the palette of accessories of the artist’s wardrobe, i.e. a bow tie and a sash belt.
The image of Ivan Stepanov, the people’s artist of Russia and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), stands out among the portraits created by the artist. During his lifetime, he became a living legend of the stage by attracting viewers with his charisma and strong voice, i.e. bass. In his performance, Yakut folk songs and arias of world opera classics sound equally powerful. Ivan Stepanov who would be the future Winner of the State Prize named after P.A. Oyunsky was born in the family of a collective farmer. He graduated from the Yakut Art School and even worked as a theater designer for a while. But the desire to become a singer and his bass predetermined his fate. Stepanov graduated from the Vocal Department of the Ural Conservatory named after M.P. Mussorgsky in 1973 and became a soloist of the Yakut Opera and Ballet Theater. The State Prize named after P.A. Oyunsky is the highest award in the field of culture, art, and literature in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It was awarded to Ivan Stepanov in 1980. The singer performed not only in Yakutia, but also toured Canada and Romania, and sang on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.
On a large-format canvas, the singer is depicted in a dynamic pose as if he is performing in front of the audience. The originality of the hero’s personality is revealed through facial plastics and hand movement. It seems that the singer is now performing a classical aria and will wave his hands, thus emphasizing the transition and emotionality in the work. The color of the background of the picture in red velvet echoes the palette of accessories of the artist’s wardrobe, i.e. a bow tie and a sash belt.
