Igor Bitman, 1953 | Figurative painter

The Russian-born painter Игорь Битман, winner of the Prix Spécial du Jury van de Académie des Beaux-Arts and the Médaille d’Or of the Salon des Artistes Français surprises with a diversity of techniques in a special collection of paintings.

Few artists are able to master such a wide range of painting techniques as Bitman does. In doing so, he not only achieves a high level of artistry, but he also conveys his outstanding skills.

Besides working with oil-paint he also uses an ancient technique called encaustique in which pure pigments are dissolved in wax, and are applied on the carrier with heated utensils.

The many layers of condensed wax create a palpable surface and at the same time give the colours a unique velvet shine.

Bitman translates the universal beauty of his subjects - still lifes and figures - to the canvas with the use of photographs. Photography has been since it’s invention very controversial in the field of art. However, it has had an undeniable influence on art and painting.

Some examples are the photographs by Eadweard Muybridge, who captured movement for the artist’s eye, the Dada photocollages, Robert Rauschenbergs’ photofragments and the ‘out of focus’ paintings by Gerhard Richter.

After more than half a century Igor Bitman has succesfully developed a classical style that brings out the unique talent of his artistry.

Igor Bitman was born in Moscow, Russia in 1953. He studied at the University of Fine Arts of the Soviet Union. During a three year period, from 1973-1976, he collaborated with the movement of non-conformist painters. In 1981 he left his native country to find his new home in Italy and later in Paris, where he currently lives since 1986.

In 1999 he met Anso and in 2001 the collaboration began between these two artists.

Since 2003 the collaborated work between the two artists became less frequent, with the last one dating back to 2007.

Igor Bitman nasce a Mosca nel 1953. Studia all'Accademia di Belle Arti dell'Unione Sovietica e dal '73-'76 partecipa al movimento dei pittori non-conformisti. Nel 1981 lascia il suo paese per trasferirsi prima in Italia e poi a Parigi, dove risiede dal 1986. Il suo incontro con Anso avviene nel 1999.

Nel 2001, in occasione della mostra Europei erranti alla Galleria Forni di Bologna, viene esposta la prima tela "co-firmata" (Passeggiata sul lungomare di Utopia). Da allora numerose sono state le opere eseguite a due mani, esposte peraltro nel 2003 alla Galleria Forni di Bologna in occasione della mostra dal titolo "Igor Bitman e Anso".

Dal 2003 ad oggi le tele che riportano la doppia firma si sono diradate, gli ultimi dipinti eseguiti con Anso risalgono al 2007.