Goncharov, Andrei

Born July 9 (22), 1903, in Moscow. Soviet graphic artist, primarily for books. Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR (1969).

Goncharov studied in Moscow with private teachers and in the free art studios of Vkhutein (State Higher Institute of Art and Technology; 1918–27) with I. I. Mashkov, A. V. Shevchenko, and V. A. Favorskii. He was one of the founders of the Society of Easel Painters (1925). In 1943–45 he worked in the magazine Frontovoi iumor (Frontline Humor). He taught at the Moscow Polygraphic Institute (from 1930 to 1934 and since 1948, as a professor since 1958). Goncharov’s graphic works (mainly wood engravings) are characterized by the close relationship of all the elements of the book (illustrations, headpiece, tailpiece), tense emotional content, a profound harmony of the visual elements with the ideological and imaginal structure of the literary work, and rich black and white tones (illustrations for The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Smollett, published in 1934–35 and 1955; Shakespeare’s Works, published in 1953–64; and The Twelve by Blok, published in 1966). Goncharov is also an easel painter (mainly a portraitist), a monumentalist, and a stage designer.