Boris Smirnoff was born in 1903 in Russia, the youngest son of an artistic family, his brothers Alexander and Vladimir also being artists. His family went into exile in France in 1917, but Boris remained in Petrograd to train at the Meyerhold Theatre. In 1926, he discovered Pavel Filonov's "Analytical Art," which profoundly influenced his work.
In 1927, he moved to France to work as a painter. His oils and pastels were destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, accused of "degenerate art." After the war, Smirnoff turned exclusively to watercolor on paper, remaining true to his master's principles and refusing to sell his works. He traveled the world, visiting Great Britain, Portugal, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Returning to Russia, he found a transformed country, but remained there until his death in 2007 at the age of 104. His career demonstrates a unique adaptation to the challenges of his time and a steadfast loyalty to his artistic convictions. The Boris Smirnoff Foundation now preserves his legacy, and his works are exhibited at the Vineyard Hotel in Newbury, Berkshire, England, celebrating his lasting contribution to art history.
