The Art of Composition

In this book by the famous artist and educator, Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation Osip Avsiyan (1918–2003), author of popular books "Nature and Drawing from Imagination", "Composition. On the Path to Creativity" and numerous articles in periodicals, the ideas accumulated and validated over decades of his artistic and pedagogical activity are reflected. Based on a professional analysis of works of visual art, the most important principles of composition are simply and convincingly presented. The author explores the methods of work of outstanding artists of the 20th century: Nesterov, Filonov, Lentulov, Grabar, Dubinsky, Labas, and many others with whom he was personally acquainted. The book includes examples from the author's pedagogical practice. An extensive and carefully selected illustrative series – Rubens, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Picasso, Vrubel, Hokusai, etc. – explains and complements the text material. The edition contains about 200 tonal and color illustrations. The book is intended for all those interested in visual arts, and will be especially useful for students, teachers of art educational institutions, studio learners, and designers.