Art Kaleidoscope

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Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

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Gulliver's Travels

Gulliver’s Travels. Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

Born in 1948, in Orekhovo-Zuevo, Russian Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin studied at the Academy of Arts, and then at Stroganov University in Moscow. Noteworthy, over the years he has developed his own unique style, combining the Russian artistic technique with the traditions of the Renaissance. Undoubtedly, Spirin is one of the best illustrators recognized in the world. His watercolor illustrations for children’s books have received numerous awards for his vision of fantastic worlds. Most of his works are in the public, private and corporate collections, including the Museum of fine arts in Milan (Italy), and the library at Princeton University (United States). Currently, Gennady Spirin lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with his wife and three sons. Friends say: “his idols – two medieval Russian genius icon-painters, Andrei Rublev and Dutchman Pieter Bruegel“.

Grey wolf and Ivan Tsarevich. Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

Gray wolf and Ivan Tsarevich. Illustration by Gennady Spirin

In all, Spirin has created more than forty beautifully illustrated children’s books. And for five of them he received the Gold medal from the Society of illustrators in New York city. Besides, four of his books got the prestigious “The Best Illustrated Book of the Year” award from New York Times. Illustrations by Gennady Spirin brought to life such outstanding authors as William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy, Charles Perrault, Jonathan Swift, and many others.

Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

Horses. Beautiful Illustration by Gennady Spirin

Horses. Beautiful Illustration by Spirin

Illustration for Russian fairy-tale “Grey wolf and Ivan Tsarevich”. Artist Gennady Spirin

Illustration for Russian fairy-tale “Grey wolf and Ivan Tsarevich”.

Perceval, the story of the Grail, detail

Perceval, the story of the Grail, detail

Scenes from Percival. Beautiful illustration by Gennady Spirin

Scenes from Percival

Red Riding Hood. Artist Gennady Spirin

Red Riding Hood

Russian winter detail (left part)

Russian winter holidays detail (left part)

right part of illustration Russian winter

right part of illustration Russian winter

Carousel. Detal of “Russian winter”

Carousel. Detal of “Russian winter”

Closeup, Russian winter, detail

Closeup, Russian winter, detail

Sledging. Russian winter. Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

Sledging. Russian winter

Three maidens under window… Tale of Tsar Saltan. Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

Three maidens under window… Tale of Tsar Saltan. Book Illustrator Gennady Spirin

Fabulous illustration. The Frog princess

Fabulous illustration. The Frog princess

The Princess and the seven brothers

The Princess and the seven brothers

The twelve days of Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas

Venice, central part

Venice, central part

Venice, detail

Venice, detail

Gorgeous costumes and details of illustration “Venice” right part

Gorgeous costumes and details of illustration “Venice” right part

Carnival in Venice

Carnival in Venice

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