Art / Smirnoff

GEORGE VITALIEVICH SMIRNOFF(°1903-†1947)

George Smirnoff arrived in Macao in 1944. Born in 1903, in the coastal town of Vladivostock, in Siberia, he started his nomadic existence early. When he was barely twelve, the waves of the Russian Revolution hit his homeland and obliged him to flee to Harbin, in Manchuria.

During his adolescent years in Harbin, he proved to be an excellent student, winning a number of prizes helping to secure his entry to the Department of Architecture in the city's University. But the Japanese policy of territorial expansion included the invasion of Manchuria and the young architect, recently married, was compelled to flee once again, this time to Tsingtao, a summer resort north of Shanghai. Here he settled as an architect, responsible for drawing up projects and plans for two-hundred residences. Smirnoff took advantage of the seasonal architectural bustle of this small town; mainly happening during the four summer months, by spending the remaining months of the year painting. Naturally eclectic, he rapidly mastered the palette techniques with a talent which enabled him to sell some of his paintings and be encouraged in his endeavour.

But soon the conquering Japanese Army sweept China, and the Smirnoff family had to gather their belongings once again and move to Hong Kong where George got a job in a local architectural practice. In December 1941 they were trapped in the British colony by the rapid Japanese southern advance, only three years later managing to find refuge in Macao. But by then the city was swarming with refugees and jobs were scarce. This time, George Smirnoff's survival depended on his painting.

In Macao, the architect-cum-painter reinforced his meagre income giving drawing classes and designing theatrical sets. In 1944 on behalf of the Government of Macao, Dr. Pedro Lobo placed with the artist an order for a series of watercolours depicting views of the colony, thus providing him with a steady revenue. Smirnoff produced a series of sixty-three urban landscapes, which presently belong to the heritage of the Museu Luís de Camões (Luís de Camões Museum). He exhibited for the first time in Macao, in December 1945 in the Colégio de S. Luís (St. Louis's College), in Praia Grande, in a joint show together with his apprentices.

George Vitalievitch Smirnoff was to tragically commit suicide by jumping from a multistoreyed building in Hong Kong. It was 1947, already in the post-war period. □

Main Façade of St. Augustin's Church [Santo Agostinho]. GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947). 1945. Watercolour. 25.5 cm x 29.4 cm. Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao. In: Macau •A invenção da paisageM, ill. 64.
Rear and side elevation of St. Augustin's Church--from the Cules Lane [Calçada dos Cules]. GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947). 1945. Watercolour. 29.0 cm x 25.5 cm. Leal Senado / Luís de Camõs Museum, Macao. In: Macau•A invenção da paisageM, ill. 65.
Side elevation of St. Anthony's Church [Santo António] --towards the Luís de Camões Garden [Jardim Luís de Camões]. GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostock, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947). 1945. Watercolour. 22.4 cm × 28.3 cm. Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao. In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 67.

Main Façade of St. Dominik's Church [São Domingos].

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 28.5 cm x 22.5 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau • A invenção da paisageM, ill. 66.

Side elevation of St. Lawrence's Church [São Lourenço].-from the intersection of Prata Street [Rua da Prata] with the Imprensa National Street [Rua da Imprensa Nacional].

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 18.5 cm x 28.6 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 82.

View of St. Joseph's Church [São José] Seminar and Chinese Dwellings.

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 28.6 cm x 22.6 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 77.

View of St. Clare's [Santa Clara] Church and St. Francis Garden [Jardim de São Francisco].

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 28.8 cm x 22.5 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 83.

Guia Lighthouse.

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 24.5 cm x 17.6 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau • A invenção da paisageM, ill. 89.

Military Club and General Headquarters.

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 22.5 cm x 28.8 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 98.

The Leal Senado Square.--seen from Travessa do Roquete.

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1944. Watercolour. 28.8 cm x 22.5 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 96.

View of the old Prata Street [Rua da Prata].

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 22.6 cm x 29.3 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau•A invenção da paisageM, ill. 106.

Traditional Houses at Lobo d'Ávila Square [Praça Lobo d'Ávila].

GEORGE SMIRNOFF (°Vladivostok, 1903-†Hong Kong, 1947).

1945. Watercolour. 22.5 cm x 28.8 cm.

Leal Senado / Luís de Camões Museum, Macao.

In: Macau• A invenção da paisageM, ill. 108.

start p. 201
end p.