Catching Reindeer

Viktor Yefimovich Tsigal (1916–2005) was a Soviet and Russian graphic artist, painter, sculptor, and decorative artist. He was a People's Artist of the Russian Federation and a laureate of the I. E. Repin State Prize of the RSFSR. In 1946, he graduated from the V. I. Surikov Moscow State Art Institute, where he studied under G. M. Goroshchenko, I. I. Chekmazov, V. A. Favorsky, and P. D. Pokarzhevsky. A veteran of the Great Patriotic War, he served as a military artist in the Black Sea Fleet. He is renowned as a master of book illustration, particularly in children's literature, as well as for his graphic series and sculptural compositions. His works are held in the collections of the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, and other major museum institutions.