Grigory Zimin
/1875–1958/
Grigory Zimin, born in St. Petersburg in 1875, embarked on an artistic journey at the Stieglitz Central Technical Drawing School in 1886. Leaving after two years, he sought practical experience in painting porcelain and glass at the Imperial Porcelain Factory, where he officially registered as a painter in 1895.
After completing studies at the Society for the Encouragement of Artists' school, Zimin embarked on a business trip to France, Germany, Sweden, and Austria in 1903 to master underglaze porcelain painting techniques. He skillfully integrated landscape sketches into his porcelain creations, resulting in a series of vases adorned with mesmerizing natural landscapes depicting the changing seasons.
Throughout the revolutionary era, Zimin continued his work at the factory until 1925. Thereafter, he dedicated himself to teaching from 1922 to 1947. In the twilight of his life, he returned to the Leningrad Porcelain Factory, crafting decorative vases using underglaze painting techniques. His works often bore a distinctive monogram of the letters "G" and "3". Noteworthy masterpieces include a coffee set embellished with gilded oval sheaves of ears, the "Egoist" tea set featuring classical landscape paintings, as well as an array of exquisite vases, cups, and decorative plates.