Mikhail Mikhailovich Bozhiy (1911 - 1990)

Mikhail Mikhailovich Bozhiy

Mikhail Mikhailovich Bozhiy (Russian: Михаил Михайлович Божий) was a Soviet-Ukrainian painter, born in 1911 in Nikolaev (now Mykolaiv), Ukraine. Throughout his career, Bozhiy specialized in portraits and genre paintings, with his education grounded in the Nikolaev Art Technikum from 1930 to 1933. He began exhibiting his work in 1937, showcasing his talent in various prestigious shows, including the All-Union Art Exhibitions in Moscow during the early 1950s. His notable works, celebrated for their portrayal of Soviet citizens and landscapes, include "Svetlana Shipunova, an Outstanding Student" (1950), "A Nurse" (1955), and "My Thoughts" (1959-60), all of which are housed in the Kyiv Museum of Ukrainian Art. His contributions to Soviet art were recognized when he became a Soviet academician in 1958 and was later honored with the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1963​.

Bozhiy's life and work were deeply intertwined with the cultural and political milieu of his time. His early years were spent in Mykolaiv, but by 1936, he had moved to Odessa with his wife, where he worked as an animator at a film studio before returning to painting. His experiences during the Great Patriotic War, including creating war posters and satirical drawings, significantly influenced his artistic output. Despite health issues preventing him from serving at the front, his commitment to the war effort through his art was unwavering. Bozhiy's art is characterized by its expressive brushwork and the ability to capture the essence of his subjects, often reflecting the social and political context of the USSR​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Bozhiy's work offers a unique insight into Soviet-Ukrainian culture and history, highlighting the role of art in reflecting and shaping societal values. His pieces, especially those in the Kyiv Museum of Ukrainian Art, serve as a testament to his skill in portraiture and genre painting, as well as his dedication to depicting the life and people of the USSR.

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