From the mid-1980s, traditional large-format sculpture portraits, such as head and bust became the main genre in which the unique features of artistic thinking and expressive pursuits of Vladimir Vasilyevich Smirnov manifested themselves. During that period, he worked on portraits of people who he knew well and saw as kindred spirits. One of them was Nikolay Vasilyevich Shuvalov.

Kostroma artist Nikolai Shuvalov had a bright and unique talent, and an extraordinary personality. He represented the generation of the Sixtiers and was the leader of more than one generation of Kostroma artists.

Literary critic Igor Alexandrovich Dedkov said:

Vladimir Vasilyevich Smirnov repeatedly turned to the image of the artist and thinker. On the pages of his diary, the sculptor shared his thoughts that worried him during his work:

Smirnov wrote:

The sculptor dreamed that this work would be cast in metal. “When will it be in bronze!!!”, “I do not require any expressiveness, except a sense of weight and space!” he exclaimed on the pages of his diary in 1987, when he completed his work. This dream came true only in 2006, after the sculptor’s death. The portrait of Nikolay Shuvalov became the first work from the sculptor’s legacy to be cast in bronze.