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Ilya BogdeskoMoldavian Soviet graphic artist, People's Artist of the USSR (1963).
Date of Birth: 20.04.1923
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Content:
Early Life and Education
Ilya Trofimovich Bogdesco was born on April 20, 1923, in Botushany, near Rybnitsa, now in the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. In 1951, he graduated from the Ilya Repin Leningrad Institute for Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.
Career in Moldova
After graduating, Bogdesco worked in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1953. In 1961, he became the chief artist for the "Cartea Moldoveneasca" publishing house. During his time in Moldova, he produced lyrical and emotionally intense illustrations for works such as Gogol's "Sorochintsy Fair," Pushkin's "Gypsies," and the Moldavian folk ballad "Miorița." He also created a series of color linocuts titled "My Homeland."
National Recognition
In 1963 or 1964, Bogdesco received the prestigious honor of People's Artist of the USSR. For his series of linocuts, including "Song," "Call," and "Protest," as well as his illustrations for Ion Creangă's "The Wallet with Two Coins," he was awarded the State Prize of the Moldavian SSR in 1966.
Later Years
Bogdesco became a full member of the Academy of Arts in 1984. In his later years, he created a series of 33 illustrations for Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote." He also wrote the entire text of Ion Creangă's "The Wallet with Two Coins" by hand.
Legacy
Bogdesco is best known for his illustrations for Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," executed in the engraving technique commonly used in Swift's time. For this work, he was awarded the Ivan Fyodorov Diploma at the All-Union "Book Art" Competition in 1980. Bogdesco illustrated over 100 books, and his graphic cycles have become classics of the genre. He currently lives and works in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
