Press releases

MINSK, 2 June (BelTA) - Smilovichi may erect a monument to commemorate the Parisian school artist Chaim Soutine, BelTA learned from deputy chairperson of the ideology and social affairs department at the Cherven District Executive Committee Alla Shakhotko.

The idea to erect the monument was discussed during the presentation of movies by journalist and TV presenter Oleg Lukashevich from the series “Artists of the Parisian School. Born in Belarus” about Chaim Soutine and Sam Zarfin.

The participants of the presentation came up with an idea to organize a competition among young Belarusian sculptors to create a monument to Chaim Soutine. The monument will be erected near the Children’s Art Center. The idea was upheld by representatives of the Cherven District Executive Committee, Belgazprombank, the National Art Museum, heads of enterprises and businessmen.

Another idea was to create another exhibition hall, Space of Chaim Soutine, at the Smilovichi museum. At the moment the museum features two exhibition halls open to the public. The first one presents Chaim Soutine’s genealogical tree, his family and studies. The second hall is decorated as a cafe with reproductions of paintings by Soutine and other Parisian school artists on the walls.

Chaim Soutine is one of the greatest artists of the Parisian school. He was born in Smilovichi in 1893. In 1912 he moved to Paris. In some 10-12 years his works started to sell, and by 1922-1925 Soutine became famous. The portraits created by the artists are united by the aspiration to unravel the mystery of a character, to express his emotions and psychological state.

Until recently there were no paintings by Chaim Soutine in Belarus. In 2012 Belgazprombank bought his work Les Grands Pres a Chartres at the Christie's auction for $400,000.