Three Generations of the Gomonov Family of Artists

Belarusian fine art was greatly influenced by Vladimir Gomonov (1929–1998), an Honoured Art Worker of the BSSR and a member of the first generation of the Gomonov artist dynasty. In addition to providing a distinctive portrait of the Soviet era, his work exhibits a unique personal style that is defined by a particular color scheme and an expressive, free way of execution. The artist was on the board of the Artists' Union of Belarus for several years and actively participated in its public events and exhibitions.

Despite coming from the village of Senno in the Vitebsk region, he had to reside in several towns where his father was sent, such as Feodosia, Simferopol, and Kerch, due to family circumstances. In 1941, he and his mother returned to their hometown. He started working at the Senno District House of Culture as an amateur art group leader after the Great Patriotic War. Vladimir had the honor of studying under painters A. Mozalev and V. Tsvirko at the Minsk Art College, where he graduated in 1956. He then worked as a teacher at the Belarusian Theatre and Art Institute until 1977.

"The Last Battle of Konstantin Zaslonov" (1964), one of his early works, became a classic and was used as an example of a historical event in textbooks. The artist's future career as a master of narrative and thematic composition was significantly shaped by this painting.

The artist also loved portraits, still life, and landscape painting. A muted color scheme full of intricate tonal nuances and an active, impasto brushstroke that defines form are characteristics of the artist's unique style that are evident in every painting.

A cheerful, emotionally open, and sociable man, Vladimir easily found subjects for his portraits—not only within his immediate circle but also among complete strangers he encountered during his numerous travels across the country.

The National Art Museum of Belarus and private collections both nationally and internationally are home to the artist's best pieces. The Vladimir Gomonov Art Gallery of the Senno Local History Museum has been accessible to the public since 1999.

Born in Minsk in 1958, Leonid Gomonov still resides and works there. He enrolled in the Belarusian Theatre and Art Institute as soon as he graduated from high school. He was well-prepared for his studies because to his father's methodical at-home painting and drawing courses. His creative personality with a sophisticated sense of beauty, proportion, and sensitivity was developed by the highly intellectual and educated milieu of his family, which included a painter for a father and an educator for a mother. This environment also naturally affected his choice of work.

Leonid finished his military service and started his profession as an artist and teacher after earning a diploma in 1982. He taught at the Glebov Minsk Art College from 1989 to 2007 after first running an art workshop at the Minsk Silicate Products Plant from 1987 to 1989. He has been imparting his expertise and painting techniques to students at the Minsk State Pedagogical University's Faculty of Art since 2010. He also occasionally travels to China to teach at Northwest University in Lanzhou as part of the university's academic exchange program.

He frequently takes part in international initiatives and art exhibitions in Belarus, such as those in Paris, France (2019), the Venice Biennale in Italy (2020), and Vienna, Austria (2021).

Leonid pursues his own artistic path despite being a conscientious student of his father and a deserving heir to the family's creative heritage. His distinctive linear foundation, vivid and uplifting color scheme, and delicate glazing processes that produce a clean, even canvas surface distinguish his painting style from his father. The artist's works, which are mostly landscapes, are all perfectly realised; even his en plein air studies are perfected. His technical proficiency and natural perfectionism are probably to blame for this.

Through both genetics and practical example, Leonid’s daughter Anna inherited his passionate and genuine love of art.

Anna Gomonova is a stunning, unorthodox, and fearless individual who has achieved the highest level of success by pursuing parallel career paths in the visual arts, film, television, modelling, music, dance, and vocals. She is one of Belarus's ten most attractive women and a singer, actress, TV host, artist, and model.

Growing up in her father's and grandfather's studios, Anna was gifted with natural artistic taste and creative talent. She studied at an art college, practiced drawing, and successfully continued her family's creative history.

Her painting is set apart by a distinctively feminine, emotional viewpoint on the reality she portrays, even if it is based on the traditions of her forebears. Her subject selection, dynamic compositions, and expressive, vivid use of colour all demonstrate this.

In 2010, Anna started showcasing her artwork at the Lasandr Art gallery in Minsk with the "Third-Generation Debut" exhibition. Her portfolio now includes group shows in Paris, Madrid, Palermo, and Moscow, as well as charity exhibitions and events in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and China, including the "Art-Voyage" and "China-Voyage" series.