Dmitry Dobrovolski

"Winter Magic"

... I have deep admiration for the few dealers that carry Russian art. Deep connections, intense work, and a willingness to navigate convoluted government bureaucracy are all required to bring these works to foreign soil. There are lessons to be learned from the Russian academic system and the artists' union - and from current popularity of this type of art among collectors. Perhaps the international art world will soon return to valuing these disciplines.

ERIC RHOADS, publisher and

editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur

Atlantis Fine Art is a boutique-style fine art gallery with its unique niche specializing in Russian art. After almost a decade of working in Naples and representing a large cohort of world's most renowned living artists, Atlantis Fine Art (former Gallery on Fifth), is now focusing on bringing the finest and rare works of Russian contemporary artists. The gallery's collection is mostly comprised of impressionist and realist works of academically trained prominent artists from Moscow, Penza, St.Petersburg, Sergiev-Posad, Tashkent, Kiev. The Gallery has already introduced to Naples art collectors such distinguished artists as Nikolai Leventsev, Victoria Levine, Husan Kasimov. This year gallery significantly expanded its collection of Dmitri Levine's works, paintings by Igor Prischepa and Sergei Smirnov.

During past ten years the demand for Russian art experienced an unprecedented growth. There are many reasons for this - and the major one is the unsurpassed artistic value and technical superiority of artworks.

..."Two schools exist in the Russian Academic system: The Repin State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in St. Petersburg, which leans towards tight realistic painting disciplines, and the Surikov Moscow State Academic Institute of art, which leans towards representational impressionism. The vast majority of Russian Art Currently on the market has been created by graduates of these two schools.

Nikolai Leventsev

"Near the Church"

Nikolai Leventsev

"Etreta. Normandia"

Artistic training can begin at a very young age In Russia. Students showing a strong aptitude for art are admitted into full-time preparatory program as early as age 7... When they reach the fourth grade these students will begin drawing nudes from life, and by the 12-th grade they will be able to execute drawings with perfect craftsmanship and likeness. By the time students graduate the preparatory school at age 19, they are prepared to enter the world as fine artists, with skills rivaling most professional elsewhere. However, to be part of the true Russian heritage, students must continue at one of the two academies.

Once they pass the entrance exam and are approved by master instructors, academy students choose a special area of emphasis to study: sculpture, painting, architecture, or monumental works(mosaic and fresco) Students spend the first three years studying anatomy (and other disciplines), which the first full year concentrated on drawing the head...In the sixth and final year, students create one giant painting of sculpture as their final exam. To graduate, students must defend their works before a board of masters. If a piece does not pass, the student must repeat the year."

Dmitri Levine

"Early Spring"

The second reason of Russian art being in demand is inaccessibility of high-ranking artists in Russia. "In Russia, the top artists hold celebrity status and therefore hard to reach. Without trusted introductions and references, these "national treasures" wouldn't give you the time of day, even if you are wealthy, established dealer. Few have been able to penetrate this highly protected system. ...To make it more difficult, recognizing the need to keep at least some of great works of art in national collections, Russia's Ministry of Culture requires all paintings, new and old to be documented and approved for removal before they can leave the country. This bureaucratic red tape can take months, even years to traverse, which discourages trade with outside world."

Dmitri Levine

"Near Tver"

The third reason that adds value to Russian art, is the limited quantity of these works. "Art, artists, and the academic system have received financial support from the Russian government for nearly 250 years, but things have changed dramatically since the end of communism in 1991. Russia's current government can't provide the funding it once did, and both the economy and the bureaucracy surrounding the sale of artwork make it difficult for artist to earn the living. Compounding the problem is the current Minister of Culture promotion of Modernism, and the state museums' favoritism more contemporary styles. Many believe that Russia's classical, academic standards of realism are in jeopardy."

We invite you to visit our gallery in Naples, Florida, to see in person our absolutely exquisite collection. We hope that you will be moved by the poetry and timeless beauty of Russian art and will become its advocate and patron.