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Michael WeinsteinSoviet Ukrainian artist-painter
Date of Birth: 20.02.1940
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Wartime and Loss:
- Orphanhood and Artistic Beginning:
- Artistic Journey
- Admission to Art Institute:
- Diplomatic Work and Continuation of Education:
- Exhibitions and Recognition
- Influence and Legacy:
- Mediums and Techniques
- Sculpture:
- Death and Legacy
- Posthumous Recognition:
Early Life and Education
Family and Background:Mikhail Vainshtein was born into a Jewish family in Ukraine as the youngest son of Isaac Vainshtein, a collective farm worker, and Sophia Vainshtein, a schoolteacher.
Wartime and Loss:
In 1941, Mikhail's father was drafted into the Red Army and went missing in action. The family was evacuated to Nizhny Tagil during the war.
Orphanhood and Artistic Beginning:
After his mother's death in 1943, Mikhail was raised by relatives. In 1946, he and his elder brother entered a children's home for gifted children in Kyiv. Subsequently, Mikhail enrolled in the T. G. Shevchenko Republican Art School.
Artistic Journey
Rejection and Perseverance:In 1958, Vainshtein graduated from art school with a gold medal but was rejected by the Moscow Art Institute. Undeterred, he worked briefly as a designer at the Karl Marx confectionery factory in Kyiv.
Admission to Art Institute:
In 1959, Vainshtein was admitted to the Kyiv Art Institute, where he studied under renowned professors such as I. N. Shtilman, M. I. Khmelko, and V. N. Kostetsky.
Diplomatic Work and Continuation of Education:
Vainshtein graduated in 1965 with his diploma work, "Welcome." He furthered his artistic training at the Creative Workshops of the USSR Academy of Arts from 1965 to 1967 under S. A. Grigoriev.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Artistic Debut and Union Membership:From 1965, Vainshtein became a regular participant in group exhibitions. In 1967, he was accepted into the Union of Artists of Ukraine.
Influence and Legacy:
Mikhail Vainshtein's works have left an enduring mark on Ukrainian art. He is considered a pivotal figure of the "Severe Style" and the 1960s-70s underground movement.
Mediums and Techniques
Painting and Graphics:Vainshtein primarily worked in easel painting but also produced a considerable body of graphic work.
Sculpture:
Towards the end of his life, he explored sculpture, creating works such as "Portrait of Igor Grigoriev" and "Grigory Skovoroda."
Death and Legacy
Tragic Loss:Mikhail Vainshtein passed away at the age of 41 on May 26, 1981. He is buried in Kyiv's Baikove Cemetery.
Posthumous Recognition:
His first solo exhibition was held in Kyiv in 1987 after his death. Vainshtein's works are now widely exhibited in Ukrainian and international museums and private collections.
