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eng Automatic Translation

Mark Zhitnitsky

1903 – 1993

Belarusian artist of Jewish origin.

He worked in the genre of painting, book and easel graphics, and designed books by Belarusian and Jewish writers. He created a series of works dedicated to the victims of both Nazi and communist terror.

Now it is almost impossible to find works by Mark Zhitnitsky, but the autobiographical essays are of real value, where he, in particular, describes his arrest and life in a Soviet concentration camp.

Lived and worked in Minsk and Israel.

Selected Artwork Series

Associated institutions

Articles on KALEKTAR

Associated Documents

Selected dates:

1903

Born in Mogilev (Russian Empire, now the Republic of Belarus). Born into a poor Jewish family. He graduated from the 4th grade of the secular school "Talmud Torah".

1918

Volunteers for the Red Army. Graduated from Military Political Courses in Petrograd. He studied at the Krunt art studio (Red Army University).

1923

After demobilization he works in Mogilev. Graduates from the Workers' Faculty of Arts. Enters the graphic department of Vkhutein (Higher Art Technical Institute). Teachers: artists Vladimir Favorsky, Lev Bruni. Participates in student exhibitions, exhibiting graphics and sculpture.

1932

Graduates from the institute with the title of artist. Sent to work in Minsk. Heads the department of artistic design of book products at the Belarusian State Publishing House. Designs books by Belarusian and Jewish writers: Yanka Mavr, Ales Yakimovich, Izi Kharik, Yakub Kolas, Moishe Kulbak, Petro Panch and others. Participates in painting and graphic art exhibitions.

1936

Together with the director and seven editors of the publishing house’s departments, he was arrested as a member of a “counter-revolutionary Trotskyist group” that allegedly existed in the publishing house. Sentenced by the Special Collegium of the Supreme Court of the BSSR to 10 years in labor camp. Transferred to Ukhtpechlag. He works there in the theater and art workshop. Performs artistic and design works.

1941

Sent for general work. He works in a brick factory quarry, as a loader at a gypsum factory, peat mining, logging, and as a hauler in an oil mine.

1943

Called from the mine and sent to the theater to stage the performance of K. Simonov's "Russian People". He works as a loader at a gypsum factory for seven months. He returned to art workshops and worked there until his release in September 1946.

1946

Returns to Belarus, without the right to reside in Minsk. Registers in the town of Pukhovichi. After Moscow and Minsk artists appeal to the Supreme Council, the criminal record is cleared and residence in Minsk is allowed. Collaborates in the magazine "Vozhyk".

March 1949

He is arrested again, held in the MGB prison for two months and sentenced in absentia by a Special Meeting of the MGB of the BSSR to lifelong exile in Igarka, Krasnoyarsk Territory. He does design work, draws, writes.

1955

Allowed to return to Belarus, without the right to live in Minsk.

1956

He is rehabilitated, the case is closed due to “lack of evidence.” Collaborates in magazines and periodicals. Works in book and easel graphics. Teaches book design at a printing school.

Since 1957

Writes memoirs about his life. Publishes a story in Yiddish about the civil war, “The Raid on Loev,” in the Moscow magazine “Sovetish Heimland.”

1971

Emigrates with his family to Israel. Collaborates in magazines and periodicals, publishes drawings and articles. Exhibitions are successfully held in Israel and the USA.

1993

Died in Tel Aviv.