Cock

, 1984

Oil on nylon fabric mounted to Masonite panel, signed and dated '84 within the image. Abstract, heavy impasto depiction of a rooster; brass frame. Signed and titled to verso, with note "Purchased Moscow Dec 1990". 19.75" height, 15.75" width

About the Artist: Zverev did not have a solo show in Russia until shortly before his death in 1986 and his work was exhibited secretly in small, underground galleries. Throughout his career he was harassed and persecuted by the Soviet authorities especially as his international success grew.

His style of tachisme can be compared with the work of the American Abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock. His work was based on deep philosophical convictions, particularly the idea of momentalism, that everything is in constant change. His intention was to render direct sensations, he worked at great speed. An art-lover called Rumnev noticed his work and introduced him to the famous art collector George Costakis. Costakis later said that Anatoly was "one of the most talented artists in Soviet Russia... a unique phenomenon". Costakis brought his work to the attention of the West.

A Zverev self-portrait was featured in the March 28, 1960 issue of Life Magazine beside a portrait of Vladimir Lenin by the Soviet artist Vladimir Serov (1910-1968) to contrast the underground with the official art of Russia. When Nikita Khrushchev learned about the publication he was outraged and forbade all contact with Western visitors and closed down all semi-legal exhibitions. Zverev was the main target of his outrage, forcing him into hiding. From time to time he disappeared and the rumours of his death began to spread. Each time the rumours were not justified. "They have stumbled on me again" he used to say. He never complained and made jokes: "I am not a communist, I am a harmonist." Sadly, he had to live hand to mouth and always dressed in shabby clothing.

Thousands and thousands gathered at his funeral in 1986 to pay their last respects. After his death there was a major retrospective exhibition for several months in the major art museums of Moscow. The exhibition had to be extended as people were queuing up to get inside around the clock.

Since 1957, Zverev participated in over eighty group exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world. His work are in many prominent collections in Russia, Europe and United States.