Nikolay Andreyevich Tyrsa (1887 - 1942)

Nikolay Andreyevich Tyrsa

Nikolay Andreyevich Tyrsa (Russian: Николай Андреевич Тырса) was a Russian and Soviet graphic artist and painter of the first half of the 20th century. He is known as a brilliant illustrator and one of the founders of the Leningrad school of book graphics. Tyrsa's paintings are diverse in genre: among them there are many portraits, still lifes, landscapes, nudes, illustrations of children's and classical literature. His works are distinguished by soft tone, blurred outlines, delicacy of colors, harmonious color combinations, lyricism and observation.

Nikolay Tyrsa preferred graphic art and watercolors until the 1930s, and then oil painting. He was a follower of the traditions of the "World of Art" association of artists. He was also one of the brightest representatives of the Leningrad Landscape School, whose followers painted chamber and contemplative cityscapes. The influence of the French Impressionists can be traced in the work of this group.

Tyrsa designed many children's books, and in his later years he illustrated classical literature - works by Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov, and Leo Tolstoy. Shortly before his death, Nikolai Tyrsa worked with Vera Mukhina to design glass vases, decanters and glasses.