Miguel Ourvantzoff (Saint Petersburg, 1897–Madrid, 1980): a travelling artist. His graphic work preserved in Madrid

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the artist Miguel Ourvantzoff (Saint Petersburg, 1897–Madrid, 1980) and, specifically, on the study and assessment of his graphic production, preserved in the Biblioteca Nacional de España, Madrid.

As the son of a member of the government of Tsar Nicholas II, he had to go into exile following the Bolshevik revolution. During this exile, and prompted by his spirit of adventure, he travelled to several European —Paris and Berlin— and South American cities —Buenos Aires and Cuzco, among others—. He settled in Madrid in 1951, where he continued to cultivate the art of drawing and illustration.

Most of his works from his time in Madrid are kept in the Biblioteca Nacional de España. The series Apuntes madrileños (1964-1968), which was published by Gráficas Amara in twenty albums, is of particular interest.

Ourvantzoff illustrated other albums on a variety of subjects: landscapes, monuments and castles in Spain and courtly literatura and other literary works. He also drew for books such as Los 60 Museos de Madrid (1962) and 60 castillos de Castilla La Nueva y Extremadura (1965).

This Russian artist produced an abundant and masterful graphic work —practically unknown— in which he managed to put his divining pencil in a well of emotion.

Keywords: Miguel Ourvantzoff, travelling artist, illustrator, travel journals, Biblioteca Nacional de España.