In difficult years for the country, he painted and sculpted figures filled with peacefulness and kindness. The artist most often chose animals as models.
The unusual talent of this man fit perfectly into the new style that was born in Russia in the first half of the 20th century. Our hero did not seek the glory of a revolutionary, did not disdain to work in the "children's" genres, but everything he did was recognized as impudent and innovative both in the author’s Motherland and abroad.
Childhood
The nobleman Semyon Efimov was proud to have preserved the inheritance of his ancestors. His possessions were modest, but he conducted the economy skillfully and did not live in poverty. In February 1878, he became a father for the second time. The child was named Ivan. The parent was not worried about the future of the heir, hoping to transfer his wealth to him.
The boy grew up in the family estate of the Efimov Otradnoye near Lipetsk. From an early age he was given upbringing and education corresponding to his status. The kid became interested in art. Parents were happy about their son’s hobby, because having a hobby will help the future landowner not to be bored and reduce the risk of thirst for dangerous fun. When a teenager said that he wanted to get the profession of an artist, none of his relatives was against it.
The village of Tyushevka, where the Otradnoye estate belonged, owned by the Efimovs
Youth
In 1896, our hero went to Moscow. Here he began to study at the private school of the famous watercolor painter and teacher Nikolai Martynov. The next year, his mentor visited the World Exhibition in Paris and returned with a bronze medal, which was noted by his copies of ancient Russian frescoes. The student wanted to repeat the achievement of the teacher, but the parents hinted that childhood was over, you need to go to college.
Vanya did not leave the throne. In 1898 he entered the natural department of Moscow University. Student life did not kill him craving for beauty, after lectures the guy hurried to the art studio of Elizabeth Zvantseva. The pupil of Ilya Repin invited famous painters and sculptors who trained young people. There, the young man became interested in sculpture. Now he knew that having received a university degree, he would not go home.
Book illustration. Artist Ivan Efimov
In his element
Ivan Efimov got a job in the pottery workshop of Abramtsevo in the suburbs. Its owner, a rich and philanthropist Savva Mamontov, willingly hosted people of art. The creativity of the young seeker interested him and made it possible to expand the range of decorative products. The authorities encouraged the participation of their masters in international exhibitions.
Silhouette for the theater of shadows. Artist Ivan Efimov
The young man began to travel abroad with the purpose of internship in European workshops, participation in opening days since 1906. He traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Germany. In France, Efimov entered the Colarossi Academy and in 1908 moved to Paris. Among the students, Vanya met his fellow countrymen. He met the artist Nina Simonovich. Soon they started a family, and the sculptor returned to Russia with his wife. Happiness did not last long - with the beginning of the First World War, the sculptor went to the front.
Revolutionary ideas
While her husband defended his homeland, Nina got acquainted with the diversity of Russian folklore. In 1917, she introduced her husband to the Moscow Association of Artists and invited him to join her in creating puppet shows. Ivan was fascinated by this unusual undertaking. After a successful premiere among like-minded people, the couple decided to contribute to children's education. In 1918, they received approval from the Moscow City Council for the creation of the Parsley and Shadow Theater, which lasted until 1940.
Ivan Efimov with his wife
The couple were together engaged in the design of books. The head of the family drew caricatures for "GROWTH WINDOWS", developed sketches of theatrical costumes and children's toys, searched for new forms of decorative earthenware sculptures and monuments made of bronze and concrete. Its invention is considered to be a cross-relief. In 1930, the Moscow Central Museum of Ethnology sent the masters to an ethnographic expedition to Bashkiria and Udmurtia, from where it brought many interesting ideas.
Faience cat (1935). Sculptor Ivan Efimov
Confession
The Soviet country needed a new art that would combine modern and folklore motifs. The work of Ivan Efimov met these requirements. The subject of his sculptures, as a rule, was borrowed from nature. Filling the city with original animal figures was interesting. Sculptures Efimova became the author of the fountain at the Khimki river station. In 1937, his work received the gold medal of the World Exhibition in Paris.
Efimov's successes in his career could be surprised. In the 20s. he was entrusted with the leadership of creative associations and circles. In his free time from creative experiments, our hero taught. During World War II, the old professor remained in Moscow. He worked on decorative panels for the metro stations Paveletskaya and Avtozavodskaya.
Bas-relief (1943). Sculptor Ivan Efimov
