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Born in Voronezh, Russia in 1963, Igor Samsonov began drawing when he was six years old and revealed his talents in his first public exhibition at age ten. Blessed with talent in both painting and mathematics, Samsonov pursued a duel career in mathematics and art until he realized that his artistic muse was slowly dying. Applying to the exclusive Academy of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg, Samsonov was accepted in 1990 and began his seven years of tutelage under the finest painters in Russia. During this time Samsonov’s complete immersion into the art world began to define and sharpen the artistic style that would become his own.

Samsonov’s influence from the early Renaissance period known as the Quattrocentro period is evident in his work. At this time in art history late Gothic influences were blending with new 15th century Italian Renaissance sensibilities. Quattrocento artists and sculptors incorporated the more classic forms developed by Roman and Greek Sculptors. Quattrocentro artist Piero della Francesca whose style brought a serene humanism to his work is Samsonov’s favorite from this period. Other influences include15th century Dutch artist Bosch whose themes dwelled on human sin and moral failings, 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer whose interior scenes of ordinary bourgeois life seem luminous with his use of translucent light and 17th century Dutch artist Rembrandt whose treatment of mankind is full of human empathy and whose work represents the zenith of Dutch Renaissance painting.

Blending modern artistic techniques and influences with Renaissance traditions has in the words of one museum curator “ created non-derivative works of unique originality and beauty.” Linda Zimmerman, curator of his recent exhibition in Scottsdale, Arizona says of Samsonov “he has such a respect for art history and of the Renaissance painters in particular but his work incorporates strong modern elements of surrealism and mysticism.”

Indeed, the originality of Samsonov’s work is one of its greatest strengths.
Samsonov’s rich imagination is the source for most of his subjects. Sometimes serious, sometimes fanciful and sometimes sublime his compositions are the result of great forethought and draw much or their power from the themes of conflict that he sees as inherent in the human and natural world. He explains, “There are always natural elements that oppose each other. Light and dark, young and old, the beautiful and the horrendous, all of my work plays on these themes.” Samsonov’s work is rich in symbolism. Many symbols are from the early history of China usually signifying philosophical ideas such as balance and generosity. Samsonov often incorporates Latin to title a painting and has created a unique alphabet to incorporate his most private thoughts about a painting into the work.

Exhibition History

1998 Genoa, Italy
1998 Saint Petersburg
1999 Moscow, Russia
2000 Munich, Germany
2001 Saint Petersburg
2003 Saint Petersburg
2005 Scottsdale, Arizona