Бессонница

1970s

Speaks out against the General Plan for rebuilding Moscow

With like-minded people he compiled an album on “old” Moscow and the losses it had suffered; he and the composer Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov managed to gather the signatures of scientists and cultural figures under a letter to the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee. The general plan, put on display at the Manege, was criticised and withdrawn, and a public council was set up at the Moscow Main Architectural and Planning Directorate, without whose decision historic buildings could not be demolished.

1977

Exhibition including “The Roads of War” is closed

The exhibition that included the painting “The Roads of War” was closed on the grounds that it “contradicted Soviet ideology”.

1978

Heads the portrait studio at the Surikov Institute

From 1978 he led the portrait studio at the Surikov Moscow Art Institute.

1979

People’s Artist of the RSFSR

The title was awarded for services to Soviet fine art.

1979

Honorary member of the academies of fine arts of Madrid and Barcelona

He becomes an honorary member of the Royal Academies of Fine Arts of Madrid and Barcelona.