Innokenti Baranov was born in Moscow and studied graphics at the Moscow Academic Art College 1905. He
also studied the art of painting and animated film at the University for Applied Arts in Vienna, Austria. Today
he lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
Innokenti Baranov's artwork is heavily influence by
Russian and European art – particularly, expressionism that is
historically rooted in central Europe (Germany, France, and
Austria) – with a great contribution of Russian artists who lived
there (W. Kandinsky, A. Jawlensky, M. Werefkin et al). This is
expressed by highly intense colors as well as by reinterpreted
classical plots and grotesque, sometimes even distorted, human
characters and objects.
His Russian art schooling is reflected mainly in remarkably
colorful and evocative still lifes, landscapes and portraits.
Innokenti Baranov has exhibited his paintings, graphics, and
caricatures in more than 20 countries in Europe and the U.S.
In addition to his passion for painting, Baranov has worked on
illustrations for more than 10 books, which have been published
in Austria, Germany and Russia and he also has a serious interest
in caricature.
His cartoons have parodied many well-known German athletes and politicans, and his caricature work has
been the subject of several exhibitions.
The artist wishes to express his cultural environment as well as his feelings of hope, fear, and complex
existentialism through his works without prejudice. As a conscious cosmopolitan, he is using his art to
discard outdated ideas and induce mutual sympathy and faith to create an open-minded world view.