Summer 2006 (14.2)

The painting Fishermen was painted by Nikolai Mikhailovich Shelyuto who was born in Belarussia in 1906. He studied in Odessa, Ukraine. He participated in the All-Union Art Exhibitions in Moscow in 1947 and 1950. Shelyuto specialized in landscapes but he also was a graphic artist.

According to Visser, "showing Lenin in this very romantic painting with two young friends as they strolled in nature is the highest level of propaganda. Such a man clearly could do no harm to others. Besides, there is a wonderful world out there to discover". However, note that Lenin is clearly overdressed. He doesn't quite fit into the boys' world. They are casually dressed and barefoot, but Lenin is in tie, vest and overcoat and dress shoes. (Oil on canvas, 135 x 180 cm, 1959). Photo: Anne Visser, Holland.