Boris Ivanovich Prorokov (1911 - 1972)

Boris Ivanovich Prorokov (1911 - 1972) - photo 1

Boris Ivanovich Prorokov

Boris Ivanovich Prorokov (Russian: Борис Иванович Пророков) was a significant figure in the Soviet art scene, known for his incisive political cartoons and poignant graphic art. Born in 1911 in the Soviet Union, Prorokov's early career was marked by a strong opposition to fascism, which heavily influenced his artworks. His artistic journey began with collaborations on magazines such as Smena and Krokodil, and by 1939, he had already made his mark with the textbook poster-drawing "Fascism is the enemy of culture"​​.

During the Great Patriotic War, Prorokov served as an artist for the Main Directorate of Political Propaganda of the Navy, contributing to front-line printing and leaflet drops over enemy territory. His experiences across various battlefronts, including the heroic defense of the Hanko Peninsula and the battles for Novorossiysk, profoundly influenced his later works. Prorokov's service earned him numerous state awards, including the Orders of the Red Star and the Red Banner of Labor​.

Prorokov's post-war period was no less illustrious. He created powerful easel graphics series that gained international acclaim, such as "Americans in Europe," "This must not happen again," and "Son." These works, often characterized by their laconic style and contrasting drawing, made a significant impact on Soviet and international art. His ability to convey complex political and social messages through art earned him the Lenin Prize in 1961​​.

Prorokov's legacy is preserved not only through his artworks, which are held in prestigious institutions like the State Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum but also through the house-museum in Ivanovo, dedicated to his life and work. His influence extends beyond his immediate sphere, contributing significantly to the Soviet propaganda effort and the broader discourse on art and politics​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Prorokov's work offers a unique insight into the Soviet artistic response to pivotal historical events. His dedication to political themes, combined with his artistic talent, makes his work a compelling study for anyone interested in the intersection of art and history.

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Date and place of birt:9 may 1911, Ivanovo, Russian Empire
Date and place of death:19 september 1972, Moscow, USSR
Nationality:Russia, USSR, Russian Empire
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Cartoonist, Graphic artist, Posterist
Genre:Caricature, Military art, Propaganda art
Art style:Socialist realism

Creators Russia

George Ivanovich Narbut (1886 - 1920)
George Ivanovich Narbut
1886 - 1920
Johann Gottfried Tannauer (1680 - 1737)
Johann Gottfried Tannauer
1680 - 1737
Yuri Vladimirovich Belov (1929 - 2017)
Yuri Vladimirovich Belov
1929 - 2017
Mikhail Ivanovich Makhaev (1718 - 1770)
Mikhail Ivanovich Makhaev
1718 - 1770
Alexey Petrovich Kuznetsov (1916 - 1993)
Alexey Petrovich Kuznetsov
1916 - 1993
Nikolai Nikolaevich Baskakov (1918 - 1993)
Nikolai Nikolaevich Baskakov
1918 - 1993
Dmitry Semenovich Stelletsky (1875 - 1947)
Dmitry Semenovich Stelletsky
1875 - 1947
Emmanuil Alexandrovich Dmitriev-Mamonov (1824 - 1884)
Emmanuil Alexandrovich Dmitriev-Mamonov
1824 - 1884
Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov (1879 - 1955)
Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov
1879 - 1955
Yevgeny Mikhailovich Rachev (1906 - 1997)
Yevgeny Mikhailovich Rachev
1906 - 1997
Nikolay Egorovich Sverchkov (1817 - 1898)
Nikolay Egorovich Sverchkov
1817 - 1898
Vasily Dmitrievich Milioti (1875 - 1943)
Vasily Dmitrievich Milioti
1875 - 1943
Anatoly Afanasyevich Arapov (1876 - 1949)
Anatoly Afanasyevich Arapov
1876 - 1949
Efim Davidovich Simkin (1915 - 2001)
Efim Davidovich Simkin
1915 - 2001
Richard Brompton (1734 - 1783)
Richard Brompton
1734 - 1783
Richard Bergholz (1865 - 1920)
Richard Bergholz
1865 - 1920

Creators Socialist realism

Yakov Dorofeyevich Romas (1902 - 1969)
Yakov Dorofeyevich Romas
1902 - 1969
Fedor Fedorovich Fedorovsky (1883 - 1955)
Fedor Fedorovich Fedorovsky
1883 - 1955
Ksenia Nikolaevna Uspenskaya (1922 - 2019)
Ksenia Nikolaevna Uspenskaya
1922 - 2019
Lev Alexandrovich Russov (1926 - 1987)
Lev Alexandrovich Russov
1926 - 1987
Gapar Aitievich Aitiev (1912 - 1984)
Gapar Aitievich Aitiev
1912 - 1984
Pavel Matveyevich Gorobets (1905 - 1974)
Pavel Matveyevich Gorobets
1905 - 1974
Alexander Adolfovich Debler (1908 - 1981)
Alexander Adolfovich Debler
1908 - 1981
Lev Alexandrovich Uspensky (1928 - 2000)
Lev Alexandrovich Uspensky
1928 - 2000
Fyodor Pavlovich Reshetnikov (1906 - 1988)
Fyodor Pavlovich Reshetnikov
1906 - 1988
Yaroslav Sergeevich Nikolaev (1899 - 1978)
Yaroslav Sergeevich Nikolaev
1899 - 1978
Heinrich Witz (1924 - 1997)
Heinrich Witz
1924 - 1997
Vitaly Nikolayevich Onkov (1946 - 2008)
Vitaly Nikolayevich Onkov
1946 - 2008
Lazar Isaakovich Dubinovsky (1910 - 1982)
Lazar Isaakovich Dubinovsky
1910 - 1982
Nikolay Nikanorovich Motovilov (1921 - 2002)
Nikolay Nikanorovich Motovilov
1921 - 2002
Valentin Ivanovich Kurdov (1905 - 1989)
Valentin Ivanovich Kurdov
1905 - 1989
Zoia Iakovlevna Eliseeva (1921)
Zoia Iakovlevna Eliseeva
1921
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