Revolution, 1986
Valentina Petrova's 1986 painting presents a dynamic scene with a historical theme, depicting a group of people carrying red flags and armed with rifles. In the background, a red building façade with an arch creates a powerful visual impression, enhanced by architectural elements like a column. The use of muted browns and grays for the background contrasts with the vivid red flags, highlighting the drama of the scene. The outlined figures convey movement and energy, characteristic of historical events, making this work significant. Valentina Petrova is known for her contribution to Soviet art, portraying powerful social and historical narratives. The painting is executed in the style of Socialist Realism, which gives it a particular significance for collectors interested in historical and political art.
Valentina Petrova
Graphic artist. In 1948 she graduated from the graphic arts faculty of the Repin Institute, defending her thesis with distinction on illustrations for V. Gorbatov's book 'The Unconquered'. Since 1948 — a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. Since 1968 — Merited Artist of the RSFSR. She worked at Leningrad publishing houses and participated in exhibitions from 1950. She began working as an illustrator at Detgiz while still a student, and from 1950 created books in co-authorship with her husband at various publishing houses. She also had a lithographic studio where she created many autolithographs, including the 'Blockade' cycle of 1985, part of which she donated to the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. The large-format sheets of the cycle are a synthesis of impressions from the blockade years in a large compositional form and complex tonality. The composition 'Lecture on Art in an Air-Raid Shelter, Winter 1942' is particularly notable — it glorifies the heights of the human spirit, conveying the emotional authenticity of a time when deprivation and hunger could not prevent people from believing in beauty. Awards: Certificate of Honor from the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR for creative work in book art, 30 April 1966. 1965 — Gold Medal at the Sholokhov competition at the Leipzig Exhibition. 1969 — First Prize of the Union of Artists of the USSR for a series of works about Lenin.