Vsevolod Sulimo-Samuilo
/1903-1965/
Sulimo-Samuillo, along with other artists of his generation, played a vital role in shaping Leningrad's artistic reputation. Despite their creations being perceived as transient, these artists, deeply influenced by avant-garde culture, helped establish Leningrad as a city known for its vibrant everyday culture during the 1930s-1950s.
Throughout his career, Sulimo-Samuillo engaged in diverse design projects, including exhibitions at notable locations such as the Peter and Paul Fortress and palaces-museums like Peterhof, Pavlovsk, Pushkin, and the Rumyantsev Mansion. During the Great Patriotic War, he was evacuated to Votkinsk, where he contributed as a graphic designer at the local factory. In the 1950s, he participated in designing pavilions for major exhibitions in Moscow and Brussels. Additionally, he generously shared his expertise by teaching at the St. Petersburg State Academy of Theater Arts, formerly known as Alexander Ostrovsky's Theater Institute, starting from 1958. Among his contributions to the theater were sketches of scenery and costumes for plays by renowned authors.
Sulimo-Samuillo's early works reflected the spirit of the "analytical period" and drew inspiration from Filonov's artistic approach. They embodied an era of exploration and bold experimentation. Even in his later works, Sulimo-Samuillo remained committed to the principles of craftsmanship and believed in the power of an artist's expression, reflecting their immortal soul. His sketches, watercolors, pencil drawings, and urban depictions offer a unique glimpse into significant aspects of urban history, ranging from moments of solemnity and magnificence to periods of somberness and despair.