Sergei Chekhonin

Born 1878 in the village of Lykoshino, in what is now Kalinin Oblast; died Feb. 23, 1936, in Lörrach, in what is now the Federal Republic of Germany. Russian graphic artist and painter.

Chekhonin studied in St. Petersburg at the Drawing School of the Society for the Promotion of the Arts from 1896 to 1897 and under I. E. Repin at M. K. Tenisheva’s school from 1897 to 1900. He was a member of the World of Art. Chekhonin worked mainly on book and magazine graphics and in painting on ceramics and enamel. He also created miniature sculptures and ceramics and worked as an interior and stage designer. During the Russian Revolution of 1905–07, Chekhonin edited a satirical political journal and drew political caricatures. One of the first artists to design ceramics on agitational themes, he served as artistic director of the State Ceramics Factory in Leningrad from 1918 to 1923 and from 1925 to 1927. He also took part in competitions to design the Soviet state emblems.

Chekhonin developed a distinctive and calligraphically refined brushwork manner employing garlands, bouquets, and other decorative motifs of the Russian Empire style. In the Soviet period he often combined these motifs with revolutionary slogans and emblems. In the 1920’s, certain artistic devices in Chekhonin’s graphics revealed the influence of futurism. In 1928, Chekhonin moved to France.