Petr Leonov
Leonov, Petr Vasil’evich
Born May 3 (16), 1910, in the village of Liutoe, in present-day Orel Oblast. Soviet ceramic artist. Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1970); corresponding member of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1973). Became a member of the CPSU in 1947.
Leonov studied at the Krasnodar Institute of Architecture and Art from 1926 to 1930. His work helped form the colorful style of the painted products of the Dulevo China Factory (principal artist there from 1932 to 1941 and from 1950 to the present). Based on the traditions of Russian folk art, his designs are marked by free brushwork, large patterns, and bold contrasting combinations of decorative colors. A recipient of the I. E. Repin State Prize of the RSFSR in 1970, Leonov was also awarded the Order of Lenin and several medals.