Anatoliy Ivanovich was born in 1954 in the village of Bolshoi (Big) Ramen in the Vyaznik region of Vladimir, Russia. He attended the Mstera Art School, where he studied under Shaleav Vladimiur Ivnaovich before graduating in 1978. As an established and well-known artist, he joined the Russian Federation Union of Artists in 1990.
According to Shirkov, his art reflects the influence of Stroganoff and thinks it is also similar to Simon Ushakov's work. However, he is a very unique miniaturist not only in his style, but also in his approach to painting. It is surprising to know that Shirkov never uses any magnifying device to achieve his microscopic detail! Although he paints a variety of themes, Shirkov's paintings reflect his love for the work of Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin.
The list of the following pieces show how prolific an artist he has become, and how widely his work is collected. Shown in the Mstera Factory Museum, also known as Center of Traditional Mstera Miniature Art, is "Babye Summer" (1981), a plate entitled "Tale of Tsar Saltan"(1982), and "Moscow is Behind us"(1983). Held in the Mstera Folk Art Museum is "Legend of the City of Kitezh"(1979) and "Legend of the Town of Kitezh". "The Gifts of Autumn"(1980) can be found in Vladimir's Museum of Folk Art. "Tale of Grey Wolf"( 1997) also resides in Vladimir, as part of a private collection. There are many other collectors from around the world that have well known pieces by Shirkov. For example, "Story of Peter and Fevroniya" (1984) and the "Legend of the Town of Kitezh"(1996) are in private collections in France.
"The Sea Way and Vasilisa the Beautiful" (1987), and "Dobrinya the Dragonslayer" are in private collections in the USA. The Romanof Dynasty (Nicholas II) (1993) belongs to a collector in England. "A Carriage was Waiting by the Church"(1997) is also some held by a private collector. Not to be over looked is the "Overcoat-Shinel" (by Gogol )(1998) and a plate entitled, "The Fair" (1998).
This seemingly content artists enjoys his "village" lifestyle, and he expressed his love for Mstera lacquer miniature art.
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A. Shirokov's works are sited in these books:
I. RUSSIAN LACQUERS, V/O ROSVNESHTORG, 1989, Moscow, USSR:
1. Casket "Vladimir", page 49, # 3.
2. Powder-box "Along the Carriage Way", page 63, # 1.
II. Kultyshev K.N., 1999, MSTYORA LACQUERED MINIATURE, CENTER OF TRADITIONAL MSTYORA MINIATURE:
1. Easter egg "Jesus Christ has risen from the dead".
2. Box "Vasilisa the Wonderfl".
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