Evgenii Ivanovich Charushin

Born Oct. 29 (Nov. 11), 1901, in Viatka (present-day Kirov); died Feb. 18, 1965, in Leningrad. Soviet graphic artist and writer. Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR (1945).

From 1922 to 1926, Charushin studied at the Vkhutein (Higher Art and Technical Institute) in Leningrad under A. I. Savinov and A. A. Rylov. He was influenced by V. V. Lebedev. Charush-in’s drawings of animals are pervaded by a warm humor and are notable for their free style reminiscent of watercolor. They have appeared as illustrations for young children’s books, including Charushin’s own books, such as The Little Wolf and Others (1931), Nikitka and His Friends (1938), and About Tomka (1957), as well as works of other authors, for example, S. Ia. Marshak’s Tots in a Cage (published 1935).

While cultivating sensibility and judgment in the child, Charushin’s drawings promote an understanding of right and wrong and awaken a love of nature. This is also true of his prose works, as well as his prints and miniature porcelain works. Charushin’s books have been translated into the languages of the peoples of the USSR and several foreign languages.