Draft:Mikhail Mikhailovich Bozhiy

Mikhail Mikhailovich Bozhiy (Russian: Михаил Михайлович Божий, 1911-1990) was a Soviet-Ukrainian painter known for his mastery of portraits and genre paintings.

Biography
Mikhail Mikhailovich Bozhiy was born in 1911 in Nikolaev, Ukraine (formerly Mykolaiv), into a working-class family.

He received his artistic education at the Nikolaev Art Technikum from 1930 to 1933 before embarking on a prolific career.

Bozhiy's talent was recognized early on, with his works displayed in prestigious exhibitions, including the All-Union Art Exhibitions in Moscow during the early 1950s.

Notable pieces like "Svetlana Shipunova, an Outstanding Student" (1950), "A Nurse" (1955), and "My Thoughts" (1959-60) are showcased at the Kyiv Museum of Ukrainian Art, highlighting his ability to capture the essence of Soviet citizens and landscapes.

In 1958, he was honored as a Soviet academician, followed by the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1963.

Bozhiy's life was marked by his deep connection to the cultural and political landscape of his time. While initially based in Mykolaiv, he later moved to Odessa, where he worked as an animator before returning to painting. His experiences during the Second World War, including producing war posters and satirical drawings, left a lasting impact on his artistic expression.

Despite health challenges preventing him from serving on the front lines, Bozhiy remained committed to contributing to the war effort through his art. His works, characterized by expressive brushwork and a keen reflection of societal and political dynamics, offer a valuable insight into Soviet-Ukrainian culture and history. Bozhiy's legacy endures through his contributions to portraiture and genre painting, preserving the essence of life in the USSR for generations to come.

Notable Works

 * «Подмосковье», 1955
 * «Портрет актрисы Л. Мациевской», 1947
 * «Этюд», 1948
 * «В. И. Ленин», 1949
 * «Женский портрет», 1960
 * «Таня, не моргай», 1954
 * «Обнажённая», 1957
 * «Вечер», 1950
 * «Полдень», 1955
 * «На ступенях», 1955
 * «Отдых», 1958
 * «Соседки», 1959
 * «Девушка в белой кофте», 1961

Literature
Шапошников Ф., Михайло Михайлович Божій, Киïв, 1963. Category:Seventh convocation members of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union Category:Sixth convocation members of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union Category:Full Members of the USSR Academy of Arts Category:Recipients of the Shevchenko National Prize Category:People's Artists of the USSR (visual arts) Category:Recipients of the Order of the Badge of Honour Category:Recipients of the Order of Friendship of Peoples Category:Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Category:1990 deaths Category:1911 births