Sportswoman Tying a Ribbon

Deyneka is a prominent Soviet artist, whose work is known throughout the whole art world. He was born in Kursk on May 20, 1899. In 1925 Deyneka was among the founders of the Society of easel artists (OST) and in 1928 he created the epic canvas ‘The Defence of Petrograd’ (the State Tretyakov Gallery). In early 1930s, the artist became interested in his countries technological progress, especially in aviation.At the same time Deyneka worked on his images of active young Soviet people.

Much of Alexander Deineka’s work explored the expressivity of monumental forms, anatomical plasticity and innovative dynamic perspectives. These qualities also define the perfectly-executed image of the "Sportswoman tying a ribbon", the sketch for the 1951 painting, "The Bather". The drawing was made in sanguine and charcoal on paper in the manner of a poster, characteristic of the artist. The model embodies several of the ideals of Soviet womanhood, particularly youth and health in body and mind.

"Sportswoman Tying a Ribbon" is a sketch for another painting, ‘The Bather’, which is owned by the Tretyakov Gallery at Krymsky Val. Due to restoration it has not been displayed for a long time. In that work the model is nude.

Paintings featured in this exhibition:

"Soviet Art. Soviet Sport" - Sotheby’s - London, Egland (19.12.2013 -14.01.2014);
"Советский спорт" - Institute of Russian Realist Art - Moscow, Russia (05.02.2014 - 25.05.2014);
"Графика спорта. Дейнека, Сойфертис, Ройтер" - The Institute of Russian Realist Art - Moscow, Russia - (01.05.2016 - 30.06.2016).