Boris Smirnoff (1903 - 2007) was a French-Russian cubist, avant-garde and analytical painter. Born in Russia, he was the youngest son of an artistic family, with his brothers Alexander and Vladimir also involved in art.
His family went into exile in France in 1917 after the October Revolution, but Boris remained in Petrograd to continue his artistic training at the Meyerhold Theatre. In 1926, he discovered Pavel Filonov and his "Analytical Art", which had a profound influence on his work.
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In 1927, Boris Smirnoff moved to France, where he worked as a painter. His artistic production is marked by oils and pastels, but these works were destroyed by the Nazis during the Second World War, accused of being "degenerate art".
After the war, Smirnoff turned to watercolor on paper, a technique he used exclusively because of its portability. True to his principles, he refused to sell his works, like his teacher Pavel Filonov. He traveled through several countries, including Great Britain, Portugal, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Returning to Russia, he found a transformed country. Despite his disenchantment, he remained there until his death in 2007 at the age of 104. The Boris Smirnoff Foundation, established after his death, manages his collection, and his works are now exhibited at the Vineyard Hotel in Newbury, Berkshire, England.
Boris Smirnoff is recognized for his commitment to cubist and analytical art, influenced by avant-garde movements. His work is characterized by a unique adaptation to the challenges of his time, with a notable transition to watercolor after the destruction of his works by the Nazis. His longevity and loyalty to his artistic principles make him a remarkable figure in the history of art.
Today, the Boris Smirnoff Foundation preserves his artistic legacy, and his works are on public display at the Vineyard Hotel in England, a testament to his lasting contribution to art.
