Виталий Бубенцов. Живопись. Графика = Vitaly Bubentsov. Painting & graphic : [альбом]. - Мурманск : [б. и.], 2012 (Санкт- Петербург : Тип. ЗАО "ЭС-Принт"). - 175 с. : ил., портр.

THE MAGIC BRUSH OFTHE ARTIST It is difficult to describe the diverse and rich inner world of the honored Russian artist VitalyNikolaevichBubentsov. It is reflected in his numerous works from ones where we can see juicyrosy- cheeked apples, seemed trying to jump out of braided baskets, to the monumental works that reveal the power and timidity of the artist. But not only the diversity and the breadth of themes strikes and fascinates the viewer. Above all, the most important thing in his work is the subtle charm of simplicity and at the same time a deep penetration into the heart of the phenomenon which he considers and studies. All his works which initially seem to be simple andcasual gradually reveal the temperament giving a special inner vital independenceto these works. And no matter what image comes out of the brush of the artist, all his works are always accompanied by the internal integrity and a special spiritual atmosphere which the author carefullywrote out, choosing aparticular color. A subtle flair allows the artist to find a significant tone of any colorful layer, revealing the inner nature of the investigated subject — whether it is a fragrant fluffy bouquet of lilac or solidified village houses or the diversity and vitality of people displayed on the canvas. Elusive poignancy and care in communicating with his works specified by the themescause a special reciprocal feeling in viewers. And there is a living undisposed presence of the artist in every work, his gaze on the described phenomenon of surrounding life is acutely felt. Herewith all his paintings emanatewarmth, softness and at the same time a lively temperament, which gives not a quiet contemplation but an inner activity to all his works. The steady temper and the acute eye of the artist give a hidden tension to every his work, whether it is a peasant woman Kate, severely peering into the bundle of twisted wool and turning it into a tourniquet, or a boat powerfully rocked by the waves, where the fishermen in oilskins severely fight with the element and persistently drag a full net on board. The clarity of the colour solutions tells us that the artist works not in a confined space but in a huge absorbing world that causes a desire to embraceand to fit it whole without the restin the pictureslimited by frames. But the world is enormous and its studying is awork that does not stop for even a minute and that turns seemingly trivial scenes into bright findings of the creative research. It would seem surprisinglywhy the artist might be interested in the old man taking a seat on an ordinary wooden chair.But there is an amazing combination of weary pensiveness with turbulent bends of tightly buttoned overcoat and actively raised right hand, balking his elbow on the back o f the chair and propping his head anda loweredleft hand resting on his knee. One could not help recalling the old man's portrait by Rembrandt: he is in the other living space, but there is something internally important, talking about his past life, connects these two portraits. Whateverpicture was painted by the artist the viewersalways find themselves captured by the thrill of live reality.His paintings have a strongvitality. They attract, force to peer into every detail, to evaluate every turn of thoughts.Spectators arecaptivated not only by the depth of the artist’s works, his well-recognized and unique method of painting, but also by the loyalty tothe traditions of a high Russian art.The honored Russian artistVitalyBubentsov is undoubtedly one of the outstanding Russian artists, and the originality and brightness of his works deserves the special attention of numerous spectators. V. Selivanov, Ph.D., Professor, Member of the Artists' Union of Russian Federation, President of St. Petersburg Public Academy of Cultural History, Head of the sector of the State Hermitage 5