Today I visited a local art center to see an exhibit by Timkov Nikolai Efimovich, a Russian Impressionist landscape painter of the 20th century. Timkov worked at a time when the Russian government established Soviet Socialist Realism as the only authorized style of art. However, he produced landscape art as a way to avoid these restrictions and used French Impressionist style in his works.

Ok…I recognize that I am not an art expert (I still draw stick people), and landscape paintings sound quite boring.  However, I found myself appreciative and emotionally connected to Timkov’s paintings. At times, I felt I could walk straight into his Russian scenes. Timkov used vivid colors and lots of textures. His paintings reminded me of the countryside in anywhere USA; however, the images of monasteries immediately took me back to Russia. Throughout the exhibit, I learned about Russian artists, government influence and small town living. For example, Timkov’s landscapes told the story of city living Russians vacationing in dachas (small cottages in the county) to garden and relax. These scenes reminded me of my annual retreat to Woodbury, PA , where there are rolling hills and lots of cows. (Side note: every year Mrs. Over, my friend Becky’s mom, takes us to several greenhouses owned by Mennonites. I’ll write about this adventure in the spring.)

Through this exhibit, I learned about Russian history and its artists. I concluded that landscape paintings provide you with insights on a country’s terrain and a glimpse of its people’s lifestyle.