Lev Povzner
I have never been a true surrealist, but I have sometimes willingly employed these techniques in my work. Surrealism is the most attractive and influential movement of the 20th century.
After graduating, he got a job as an artist at the "Sanprosvet" publishing house, which specialized in materials for polyclinics. For many years, up until Perestroika, he was involved in teaching—giving lessons to children and adults both privately and in art schools and cultural centers.
Lev Povzner's development as an artist traces back to the mid-1960s when he became part of Moscow's artistic underground. As a child, he met Alexander Vasiliev, a future bookseller, art dealer, and collector of unofficial art, who later introduced him to Vladimir Yakovlev and Vladimir Pyatnitsky.
After graduating, he got a job as an artist at the "Sanprosvet" publishing house, which specialized in materials for polyclinics. For many years, up until Perestroika, he was involved in teaching—giving lessons to children and adults both privately and in art schools and cultural centers.
Lev Povzner's development as an artist traces back to the mid-1960s when he became part of Moscow's artistic underground. Thanks to poet Vsevolod Nekrasov, he met Mikhail Roginsky and later Yevgeny Izmailov and Sergei Esayan. He later began to closely associate with Leonid Purygin. In the mid-1960s, he started creating his first independent works. From 1967 to 1978, he was friends with and exhibited alongside Yevgeny Izmailov and Mikhail Roginsky. In 1976 and 1977, he participated in two apartment exhibitions.
During those years, Povzner was fascinated by the art of old European masters, painting with watercolors and tempera on gessoed panels. Together with Roginsky and Izmailov, they created small works known as "retro" out of disillusionment with the Moscow underground and contemporary art in general. Simultaneously, Povzner was interested in primitive art, lubok, and kitsch. In 1975, he participated with small "retro" works in an exhibition of Moscow artists at the "House of Culture" pavilion at VDNKh. In 1976, along with other unofficial artists, he joined the painting section of the Moscow United Committee of Graphic Artists. From 1976 to 1982, he participated in the annual autumn-spring exhibitions of the City Committee of Graphic Artists in the hall on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street, as well as in exhibitions of the "21" group. Since 1982, he has been a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the late 1970s, he changed his painting style, moving away from "minor tonality and slow labor" and began working quickly, with swift drawings and paintings allowing him to complete a work in an hour. Creating a dramaturgy similar to commedia dell'arte with various characters and animals, he produced the series "Circus" (mid to late 1980s) and "Rows" (1980s). In the late 1980s, he stopped teaching and began collaborating with the "Moscow Palette" gallery.
In the 1990s, he worked for almost ten years in a studio on Bolshoy Sukharevsky Lane, considering it the best time of his life. During this period, he began working on the "Hidden Faces" series (mid to late 1990s). He participated in two Sotheby's auctions in Moscow. In 1999, he was nominated for the State Prize of the Russian Federation. In the 2000s and 2010s, he created the "Grass" series, in the 2010s, the "Shpigel" series, and since 2018, he has been working on the "Field of Miracles" cycle. Since 2012, he has been writing poetry. He is the author of the collections "Parabel-Lum" (2013), "Mop Lena" (2017), and "Demon-Curd" (2023). He was married to sculptor Valeria Dobrokhotova, and they have two children—Maria and Alexander.
Lev Povzner's works are held in the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Oil on oilcloth
233 х 327 cm
from the 'Confronting Faces' series
Acrylic on paper
99,4 х 84,7 cm
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Oil on canvas
203 х 307 cm
from the 'Confronting Faces' series
Oil on canvas
95 х 62 cm
from the 'Spiegel' series
Acrylic on oilcloth
75,3 х 60,4 cm
from the 'Grass' series
Acrylic on paper
84,5 х 99 cm
from the 'Field of Wonders' series
Acrylic on author's cardboad
92 х 123,5 cm
from the 'Spiegel' series
Acrylic, watercoloured and pencil oilcloth
48,4 х 35,5 cm
from the 'PSYHO' series
Acrylic on author's cardboad
86 х 123 cm
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pens, coloured pens, acrylic, bronze, paper
36,5 х 29,7 cm
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pencil, acrylic and mother-of-pearl acrylic on paper
33,2 х 24,5 cm
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pencil, acrylic, fabric on paper
22 х 27,8 cm
from the 'Grass' series
Black and coloured pens, acrylic on paper
29,6 х 20,8 cm
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pencil, coloured pens and mother-of-pearl acrylic on paprer
38,3 х 29,3 cm
from the 'Field of Wonders' series
Acrylic on author's cardboard
108 х 132,5 cm
Lev Povzner
Thee Ages, 1998from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Oil on oilcloth
233 х 327 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Lev Povzner
Incident in the Park, 2014from the 'Confronting Faces' series
Acrylic on paper
99,4 х 84,7 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
March 8th, 2000
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Oil on canvas
203 х 307 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Red Riding Hood, 2004
from the 'Confronting Faces' series
Oil on canvas
95 х 62 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Stranger, 2014
from the 'Grass' series
Acrylic on paper
84,5 х 99 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Lev Povzner
Feat pf a Pioneer, 2010from the 'Spiegel' series
Acrylic on oilcloth
75,3 х 60,4 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Me and it, 2018
from the 'PSYHO' series
Acrylic on author's cardboad
86 х 123 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Pink Cat, 2010
from the 'Spiegel' series
Acrylic, watercoloured and pencil oilcloth
48,4 х 35,5 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
They Lived in the Same Children's Home', 2019
from the 'Field of Wonders' series
Acrylic on author's cardboad
92 х 123,5 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Riders, 1997
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pencil, acrylic and mother-of-pearl acrylic on paper
33,2 х 24,5 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Lev Povzner
Endspiel , 2000-еfrom the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pencil, acrylic, fabric on paper
22 х 27,8 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Portrait with Shell, 1997
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pens, coloured pens, acrylic, bronze, paper
36,5 х 29,7 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Doctor Livesey, 1997
from the 'Hiddden Faces'
Pencil, coloured pens and mother-of-pearl acrylic on paprer
38,3 х 29,3 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
Lev Povzner
Landscape №3, 2018from the 'Field of Wonders' series
Acrylic on author's cardboard
108 х 132,5 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).
The Youth and the Camellia, 2006
from the 'Grass' series
Black and coloured pens, acrylic on paper
29,6 х 20,8 cm
Lev Povzner (b. 1939) is a postmodernist artist and poet. Since the late 1990s, he has been creating series of enigmatic paintings employing surrealist techniques. Born in Moscow, where he continues to live and work, Povzner enrolled in the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Moscow Institute of Polygraphy in 1962. He later worked at the Sanprosvet publishing house and taught extensively—both to children and adults—at an art school, a cultural center, and privately. With the advent of the first private galleries in the late 1980s, he was able to sustain himself through the sale of his works.
Since the mid-1960s, Povzner has been an active participant in the Moscow art underground. He formed close friendships with Mikhail Roginsky and Evgeny Izmailov, and in 1967, they participated together in an apartment exhibition, maintaining what was known as the "Union of Three" until the late 1970s. In 1975, Povzner's works were showcased at the nonconformist exhibition at the VDNKh Cultural Center. From 1976 to 1982, he took part in several group exhibitions organized by the City Committee of Graphic Artists and the "21" group. During this period, Povzner was fascinated by nostalgic "retro" art—the works of old European masters, using watercolors and tempera on specially prepared gesso panels. Simultaneously, he developed an interest in primitive art, popular prints, and kitsch. In 1982, he joined the Union of Artists of the USSR.
In the 1990s, Povzner moved away from romanticism, embracing postmodernism and developing a new artistic language. He began working on series that he continues to this day, including "Hidden Faces," "Сonfronting Faces," "Grass", "Spiegel," and "Field of Wonders."
Lev Povzner's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Duke University Museum (Durham, USA), and the Kolodzei Art Foundation (Highland Park, New Jersey, USA).