Boris Novikoff was born on February 28, 1888, in Tiflis (now Tbilisi), Georgia. He lived a life that combined his engineering and naval service skills and his visual arts talent, leaving...
Written by
Elsie Labban
Boris Novikoff was born on February 28, 1888, in Tiflis (now Tbilisi), Georgia. He lived a life that combined his engineering and naval service skills and his visual arts talent, leaving an enduring impact on the Lebanese art scene. As an aristocrat from a Russian noble family, a naval officer, and a painter, Novikoff’s multifaceted journey unfolded against the backdrop of historical upheavals, from the Russian Revolution to his eventual settlement in Lebanon.1
Throughout his life, Novikoff demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his artistic pursuits and professional responsibilities. He studied at St. Petersburg at the Institute of Civil Engineering, graduating from the Marine Corps in 1909; he became an officer in 1910 2 . Simultaneously, Novikoff attended drawing classes at the Imperial Academy of Arts under Lev Lagoria, a Russian watercolorist known for his seascapes and maritime scenes.
After escaping the turbulence of the 1917 Russian Revolution, Novikoff sought refuge in Lebanon, where he became a naturalized citizen and assumed the municipal engineer role for Beirut. Remarkably, he continued his artistic endeavors alongside his professional commitments, demonstrating his ability to balance two passions simultaneously. His artwork found admirers not only within Lebanon but also abroad. During a visit by the eldest daughters of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatyana Nikolaevna, Novikoff presented them with his sketches depicting naval battles.
The detailed and realistic artworks by Novikoff caught the eye of Maurice Paléologue, the French ambassador to Russia, leading to these naval drawings being published in the magazine L'illustration (No. 3818, May 6, 1916) in 1916 3.
Novikoff's dedication extended to his involvement in the Russian community in Lebanon. 4 He played an active role in the Russian Technical Association and was the permanent chairman of the ‘Cabin Company of Naval Officers of the former Imperial Fleet’ in Beirut. His commitment to his Russian heritage was underscored by his participation in events organized by the Russian All-Military Union and the Union of Russian military invalids in Syria and Lebanon. Nonetheless, Novikoff's passion for the arts grew with his professional involvement as he became a Knight of the "National Order of the Cedar" in 1963 for his significant contribution to the arts in Lebanon.
Despite his profound artistic contributions, Novikoff's life remains a complex tapestry of experiences. Letters from his mother, Helene Novikoff, provide a glimpse into his life during his employment with the ‘Gold Coast Selection Trust Limited.' These letters, preserved at Yale University Library, reflect her concerns for his welfare as an officer in politically tumultuous countries, including Russia during the Revolution and then later the Middle East as tensions were brewing, all while she resided in England 5.
Novikoff's artistic journey was marked by his passion for neo-realism – an intimate visual reflection of nature with meticulous regard for detail – and his profound connection to nature, which he regarded as his "only master." 6 His talents led him to create diverse works in watercolor that captured the essence of his surroundings and emotions. Novikoff's creative expressions eloquently conveyed his deep affection for Lebanon and Russia’s landscapes and their individual histories.
Being a naval officer was also reflected in his works, as his artistic subjects were mostly architectural and marine landscapes. His realistic paintings are anchored in the beauty and intricacy of the landscape being presented rather than a hyper-realistic depiction 7. Novikoff’s work captures the tangibility of the land – its tactile characteristics along with the interplay of light and shadow. This is demonstrated in his works that depict Lebanon's geography, as his paintings present an almost tangible aspect of the rugged and dusty edges off the ancient ruins of Baalbak. One of his notable works, Baalbek, 1960, an oil on canvas painting, is a testament to his unique style 8. This painting is part of the DAF collection in Beirut and showcases Novikoff's exceptional use of color and his remarkable ability to depict the Lebanese natural landscape. The varying shades of ochre reflect the history of the ruins, complementing the landscape in the background. Hidden bright green bushes are carefully placed between the shadowed columns, which hint at Novikoff's ode to representing both new and old in his works.
Novikoff’s neo-realistic approach is characterized by his ability to breathe life into his paintings through the vivid use of earth tones and colors that reflect the arid and luscious landscape. Also, Novikoff captures the shades of green reflecting the textures and variety of flora of the Lebanese stone pine trees. The picturesque mountain villages of Lebanon, the narrow alleys of old Beirut,the majestic cedars, and the expansive sea all found a place within his artistic vision. His unique style attracted the admiration of writers such as Charles Corm and Amin Rihani, who praised his adeptness at infusing vibrancy into his depictions of Lebanon.
Throughout his artistic career, Novikoff's works were featured in numerous exhibitions in Lebanon and abroad. His paintings were showcased at the Lebanese Pavilion during the 1939 New York World's Fair and in exhibitions organized by the Lebanese Government in Europe and various art galleries. His contributions were acknowledged by the Lebanese government in 1963 when he was bestowed the Ordre National du Cèdre. This prestigious state order recognized his significant impact on the arts in Lebanon 9.
On June 15, 1966, Boris Novikoff passed away. He was laid to rest with military honors at the Orthodox cemetery of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Ras Beirut. His artworks are exhibited in the Sursok Museum halls in Beirut, the National Museum of Damascus, and private collections. Novikoff's depiction of realism and deep connection to nature continues to captivate art enthusiasts and bridge the past and present in his timeless artworks.
Edited by WAFA ROZ
Notes:
1 Bonhams: Boris Novikoff (Russia, 1888-1966) View of Bikfaya. Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.bonhams.com
2 “NOVIKOV, Boris Leonidovich”. Art and Architecture of the Russian Emigration. Artrz.ru.
Accessed August 2, 2023. https://artrz.ru
3 “L’Illustration.” Revue.lillustration.com. Accessed August 4, 2023. https://revue.lillustration.co
4 Malek, Robert. 2009. Draconis. Tamyras.
5 “Collection: Boris Novikoff Papers: Archives at Yale." Archives.yale.edu. Accessed August 3, 2023. https://archives.yale.edu
6 “One Fine Art | Artists - Painters / Boris Novikoff.” One Fine Art. Accessed August 5, 2023. https://www.onefineart.com
7 Gasparian, Natasha, and Angela Harutyunyan. n.d. “The ‘Lebanese’ Landscape and Its
(Trans)Historical Ideal.” Accessed August 6, 2023. http://www.saradarcollection
8 “Baalbeck by BORIS NOVIKOFF.” Dalloul Art Foundation. Accessed August 11, 2023. https://dafbeirut.org
9 Mehanna, Tania Hadjithomas. 2023. “Comme Un Mois de Juin Au Liban 1/2.” Ici Beyrouth.June 12, 2023. https://icibeyrouth.com
