Measures approx. 20" x 14" (50 x 36 cm). Original painting by Boris Popov. The painting does not have the artist's hand-written signature except his last name written in his hand on the back but the picture was acquired in a group of paintings by this artist and we guarantee its authenticity. The style of brushstrokes, the artist's "handwriting" also speaks for itself when comparing this portrait with other works by B. Popov. The painting is a portrait of a Soviet female enlisted soldier, a private. Judging by the details of the uniform, the portrait is of mid- to late-1940s period and

Measures approx. 20" x 14" (50 x 36 cm). Original painting by Boris Popov. The painting does not have the artist's hand-written signature except his last name written in his hand on the back but the picture was acquired in a group of paintings by this artist and we guarantee its authenticity. The style of brushstrokes, the artist's "handwriting" also speaks for itself when comparing this portrait with other works by B. Popov. The painting is a portrait of a Soviet female enlisted soldier, a private. Judging by the details of the uniform, the portrait is of mid- to late-1940s period and most likely, dates to WW2. One important point is that the young woman is wearing an M-43 shirt with shoulder straps of an Enlisted serviceman. There were not many females still serving in the Red Army after the war, especially with the rank of enlisted soldier (the few medical and HQ personnel who remained on active duty would have at least an NCO rank). The war is also in the somber expression of her eyes, the eyes of a person who has seen a lot of evil and suffering, but also by the fiery skies in the background suggesting the all-engulfing fires of war. Much more than the previous world war, WW2 brought women to the front lines, traditionally as field medics, nurses and cooks but that quickly expanded to communications specialists, both wired and wireless, military police, drivers and even snipers. The Soviet Army was the first to engage women in combat operations. And, speaking of snipers, the Soviet Army had over 2,000 female snipers during WW2. The Western media gave one of them, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, the nickname "Lady Death". A well-deserved one, we might say, after 309 confirmed kills of the enemy officers and enlisted. We do not know what branch of the military the portrayed woman belonged to but her eyes tell us that she definitely saw a lot suffering and death in combat.

In very good to excellent condition. Even though the artist's style is characterized by very powerful bold brushstrokes and use of large quantities of paint, he applied less of it in this painting, and the paint is still intact and has not chipped off anywhere. In some places close to the edge, we can see small areas of bare canvas. However, at a closer look, it becomes obvious that it is not due to loss of paint but rather due to the artist's inspired style. Simply put, he "missed a spot" and never bothered to cover it with paint. Apart from the inevitable wear to the raw edge, the canvas is strong.

It is rather uncommon to come across a genuine original Socialist Realism painting from that era. Most of what is available is much more recent reproductions, mass-produced to decorate the walls of various organizations.

The artist, Boris Nikanorovich Popov (Борис Никанорович Попов, 1909-2001) was a prominent Soviet Russian painter, master of graphic arts, theater stage decorator. He started his career in the early 1930s as a theater stage decorator, working in theaters of Vladivostok, Achinsk and other theaters of the Soviet Far East and Siberia. Following that, he moved on to painting, specializing in portraits and landscapes. He took part in a large number of art exhibitions, played an active role in the Moscow Chapter of the Union of Soviet Artists, and was made Distinguished Artist of RSFSR (a very high Soviet-era official title of recognition bestowed very sparingly). His works are on exhibit in museums of Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Donetsk as well as in several private collections.

Please note that the actual medal in our photo is for size reference only and is not part of the sale.
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