Laktionov Alexander Ivanovich

Alexander Ivanovich Laktionov was a Soviet painter and graphic artist, People's Artist of the RSFSR (1969), and full member of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1958). He studied at the Academy of Arts in Leningrad under I. I. Brodsky (1932–1938). He taught at the Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and at the Moscow Correspondence Pedagogical Institute (professor from 1968). He is known as a master of genre painting and portraiture. His painting 'Letter from the Front' (1947) was awarded the State Prize of the USSR (1948). Laktionov's work is characterized by high technical skill and precision of drawing. His works include a portrait of V. I. Kachalov, a self-portrait, portraits of cosmonauts, and 'To a New Apartment' (1952). He was a laureate of the Repin State Prize of the RSFSR (1971) and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.