Chatov Catalog, 2025

CHATOV

A Retrospective of Works byChatov | I Roman, Constantin, and Marc Chatov

C OVER : Flowers wi th Mandolin, 1 9 6 0 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 30x24 INSID E COV E R : La Dance, 1965 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 50x30

CHATOV A Retrospective of Works by Roman, Constantin, and Marc Chatov An Exhibition at The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts Highlands, North Carolina August 23, 2025 - January 3, 2026

This exhibition celebrates the remarkable 125-year legacy of the Chatov family, whose profound contributions to fine art span multiple generations.

Featuring a curated selection of paintings and sketches, this retrospective highlights the individual talents

and

shared

artistic

vision

of

Roman,

Constantin, and Marc Chatov.

From Constantin's mastery of portraiture and Roman's innovative explorations of form to Marc's contemporary interpretations of traditional realism, the Chatov name is synonymous with artistic excellence, passion, and cultural influence.

Together, their works illuminate a rich heritage of

creativity

and

dedication,

offering

viewers

an intimate journey through a family tradition that has shaped and enriched the landscape of fine art.

Words by Marc Chatov with special thanks to: Gaye Chatov, Operations Wizard of Chatov Studio

ROMAN CHATOV 1900 - 1987

Roman Chatov was born in Rostov on Don, Southern Russia, in 1900. The son of a theater impresario, he began to draw at the age of fourteen. By age sixteen he was already illustrating for numerous magazines emerging as a military correspondent painter, making his drawings on the battlefields of World War I. After the Russian Revolution when Lenin gained power in 1922, Roman, his brother Constantin and his parents, fled their homeland for New York. "With the horrors of the civil war, our family decided to leave Russia because of communism," he said.

He received his early training as an artist in Russia and Paris. The young Roman's first published drawings were backstage sketches that appeared in Russian theater magazines. He continued his formal art education at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Arts and was a noted mural painter and costume designer

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before turning his talents to portraiture.

President Roosevelt's Works Project Administration (WPA) commissioned Roman to paint murals for the Ford and Palestinian Pavilions at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

This led to many commissions for murals throughout the country. Among his most notable commissioned works are his murals for New York's Russian Tea Room, which are currently in the Lincoln Center Library of Fine Art and Museum of the City of New York collections. Of his many murals, 'Cornucopia' may still be seen in the iconic art deco Edison Hotel in New York.

Working in a Fifth Avenue studio, he designed costumes for the famous Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld of Ziegfeld Follies. When dancer Isadora Duncan admired some of his Spanish costumes, he made a large hand-painted shawl for her; the very one that strangled her when it got caught in the wheels of a car.

primarily on portraits which were carried by the Garibaldi Galleries in New York, however, in 1959 he ventured to Atlanta when commissioned to paint the mural for the Cabana Hotel opening. Two years later, he moved to Atlanta where he and his brother Constantin opened a studio together and taught art classes in addition to their commissions.

Roman was acquainted with Manhattan's most successful and dynamic artists and musicians including abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning, with whom he shared a studio in the 1930's.

In

1942 he married Geneva McCormack. Having established himself as a major artistic talent in New York, Roman Chatov became a renowned portrait painter when he and his brother Constantin were commissioned

by MGM studios to paint portraits of top stars such as Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable during the Gone with the Wind era. He then began working

Roman Chatov's works have been shown in galleries and museums on both continents and are represented in many private and corporate collections.

Roman was honored with the Governor's Award from the Georgia Council for the Arts and Humanities in 1983.

In 2014, the book Chatov was written by Morton Publishing. The book outlines the contributions of numerous members of the Chatov family, including Roman's undeniable influence on a generation of artists and his profound gifts to the world of art.

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Ja n e Ea g le s, 1940 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 40x30

This

portrait

of

Jane

Eagles is an example of Roman's academic training and mastery of human anatomy and portraiture.

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Exodus, 1958 Roman Chatov Oil and Pastel on Board, 43x36

The somber mood of this painting is an allegory of the Chatov family escape from Russia's Civil War in 1920.

Sti ll Li f e w it h Bo o k, 1 9 5 0 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 20x24

This is one of the paintings that Roman did during his time at Art Students League in NY with Brackman. This piece was very motivating to me when I was learning to paint. I have always admired it.

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Tw is t e r s, 1 9 5 9 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 24x20

Roman asked his son Marc to show him the new dance called the twist. Marc is the model in the white shirt posing for his Dad.

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Ma rc, 1 9 5 9 Roman Chatov Charcoal and Chalk on Posterboard, 36x26

Dad had me pose for this and it was then that I decided I preferred the other side of the canvas.

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Ma rc e l Ma rc e au, 1 9 60 Roman Chatov Oil on Board, 16x12 When

Roman

visited France in the '50s he saw Marceau perform

and

fell

in

love with pantomime.

Such performers are a repeated theme in many of his paintings.

Flowers with Mandolin, 1960 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 30x24

Typical of Roman's abstract period, this painting utilizes color and geometric form to create an emotional response.

Take

of the mandolin.

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note

The Thirst, 1964 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 28x22 A favorite in the collection, this painting is reminiscent of the Russian

icons

that

influenced Roman as a child.

Circ u s Tr a g edy, 1965 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 30x24 Roman painted this heartfelt the

tragic

allegory loss

after of

his

eldest son. The horse and rider are known as Fate, depicted here symbolically trampling

his

son.

The

other figures are Roman reaching out along with his brother Constantin and youngest son; Marc.

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Hom e r, 1965 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 24x20

This

painting

a

depiction of the blind poet, Homer, who wrote The Iliad and the Odyssey.

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is

L a Dance, 1965 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 50x30 On a trip to Paris, Mom and Dad visited the Folies Bergere. Roman was so enamored with the Cabaret it inspired him to create this painting.

Pin k C h a i r, 1965 Roman Chatov Oil on Board, 50x30 The most important thing about this painting is not the nude, but rather the color relationships. Roman often utilized the human form in various constructs of color composition.

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Tw o Eg o s, 1965 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 50x60

This painting represents Roman's psyche dealing with the tragedies in his life. Using artistic representations

to

highlight

the internal struggles of grief and tragedy; here we see Ego Rational and Irrational walking arm in arm.

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Ge n e va , 1 9 6 8 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 33x16

This is a playful painting my father did of my mother showing her whimsical humorous nature.

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Ab ys sinians, 1967 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x24 During this period, Roman

often

utilized

simplification of geometric forms the I

as

seen

figurative

imagine

here

subjects.

surviving

escape

from

Russia

left

in the

communist an

indelible

mark on Dad as he always expressed through painting his

feelings

for

those

suffering from political and social unrest.

B o h e m ia n s, 1968 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 24x36 In the 1960s and '70s Roman was a man of the times, hanging out with beatniks and hippies.

Many

were

models in his paintings.

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Ni g h t Ri d e r s, 1968 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x40

During the Vietnam War, Roman was sympathetic to the hippie idealism in their quest for peace and love. This painting reflects the youth of that time in search of peace as represented by the dove.

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Hi p p i e Fa m ily Seri es No. 3, ~ 1 9 6 8 -1972 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x20 Hi p p i e Fa m ily Seri es No. 2, ~ 1 9 6 8 -1972 Roman Chatov Oil on Panel, 30x40 Here Roman's work depicts the genre of the decade

-

this

being

the

hippies of the '60s and early '70s.

He liked the ideals of

peace and love.

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To rc h b e a re r, 1 968 Roman Chatov Oil on Board, 48x24

While watching the 1968 summer Olympics, Roman was moved to create this painting.

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Dayd re a m, 1 9 70 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 24x36

This oil sketch is a great example of how Roman could capture

intense

minimal detail.

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emotion

with

Trou b a d o u r, 1 978 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 36x24

I've always described my father's work as very poetic and that he himself was a minstrel or troubadour of color.

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Summ er Dacha, 1983 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x24 This

is

a

favorite

repeated

scene

with

the

Russian

Dacha

in

the

background typical

depicting

family's

a

summer

vacation.

Aprè s Mi d i, 1 980 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 36x24

Translation: In the afternoon.

Roman utilized the complementary colors of blue and orange to create an atmosphere of a relaxing afternoon.

20 | Chatov

Trapezists, 1980 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 40x30 Since childhood, Roman was fascinated by the trapeze artists in the circus, which in Russia was similar to cirque du soleil. In his youth, Roman was a gymnast on the rings, which

most

contributed

certainly to

his

adoration.

Exp u ls i o n f rom th e Ga rd e n , 1 984 Roman Chatov Oil on Canvas, 40x30 Later

in

Roman's career he was inspired by El Greco stylized and elongated figures. This painting, as well, would be a metaphor for his own flight from Russia.

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CONSTANTIN CHATOV 1904 - 1993

It is natural that Constantin Chatov's work has a musical feeling. The renowned portraitist, whose clientele included hundreds of prominent people including the portraits of Margaret Mitchell, Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh commissioned by MGM, began his career as a concert pianist in Russia.

As a young man, Constantin studied music at the National Conservatory of Music in Rostov, an affiliate of the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music. During the Russian Revolution, when Lenin gained power in 1922, Constantin and his brother; Roman, and his parents fled their homeland for New York.

"We left Russia because of communism," he said.

Constantin studied music at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia under legendary Isabelle Vengerova.

He was a concert pianist in New York and an accompanist for the Ballet Russes, headed

22 | Chatov

by Michael Mordkin, where he accompanied many famous ballet stars, including Anna Pavlova and Nemchinova.

Constantin developed a severe carpal tunnel injury in his right hand which ultimately ended his professional career as a concert pianist. In the 1940's he traveled Bermuda. In 1950 he began a new career; following his artistic passions into the world of painting.

He studied under Robert Brackman at the Art Students League in New York and by the 1960's was acclaimed for his figure studies, paintings and portraits.

Settling in Atlanta, in 1959 Constantin and Roman opened a studio together in Atlanta and taught art classes in addition to their commissions.

Constantin became an influential member of the arts community receiving, among other awards, the 1983 'Governor's Award in the Arts' from the Georgia Council for the Arts and Humanities.

In 2014, the book Chatov was published by Morton Publishing. The book outlines the contributions of numerous members of the Chatov family. "Many decades of admirable accomplishments and important cultural contributions have woven the Chatov name, like a vibrant thread, into the intricate tapestry of American art history."

Author Michelle Morton - Chatov

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Wo r s t p o si t io n i n c l a s s, 1 9 5 6 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x24

24 | Chatov

This painting was created at the Art Students League in New York under the instruction of Robert Brackman who was known for his direct approach to painting skin tones. As a painting instructor himself, Constantin would often point to this painting when his students complained about getting the worst position in class.

Oi l Sk e t c h , 1960 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x24

An alla prima painting demonstrating

a

great

economy of brushwork. Alla prima is a painting completed in one session.

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Th e B o a t, 1 9 6 7 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 28x33

A favorite in the collection, this

painting

was

inspired

by

Constantin's many years living in Bermuda. Here the artist captured the pink sands for which it is known.

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Young Man with Dove, 1 968 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x24 Constantin, as a trained concert pianist saw color as music.

Color

harmonies

are

similar in their relationship to music notes which may explain why he was forever enamored with color.

Va l e r i e, 1 9 8 0 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 24x36

Although both Roman and Constantin painted many abstracts and

non-objective

works,

they

always returned to their original training of traditional realism.

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Du sk, 1 9 8 5 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 40x30

Constantin

found

the

relaxed summers in the south very similar to his summers spent in the Russian countryside as a youth. This painting depicts a breezy summer day in Georgia.

28 | Chatov

Mot h e r a n d Ch i ld, 1983 Constantin Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x24

Inspired by his childhood memories of the family Dacha in Odesa, here Constantin portrays a mother's embrace.

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MARC CHATOV 1953 - present

Born in Key West Florida in 1953, Marc grew up in a family of artists, musicians and stage professionals and began his career in fine art painting at age 18. His mother, Geneva, was a dancer and Powers Girl model in New York, and his father, Roman, was Russian-born and a classically trained muralist, figurative painter, and prominent portrait artist. In 1958, Marc's family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where his father and uncle, Constantin Chatov, also a celebrated portrait painter and notable concert pianist, founded the Chatov Studio.

Growing up amid the rich culture of his family's art atelier, Marc was exposed to the academic principles of art and to professionals in the art world, witnessing from an early age how they translated the world onto canvas. When he wasn't drawing pictures for his own enjoyment, he was typically found sitting for his father Roman, whose passion for painting was all consuming.

As a teenager, Marc studied

30 | Chatov

painting under the tutelage of both his father and uncle at the Chatov Studio.

Marc attended Georgia State University as a fine art major where he studied drawing under the late James Sitton who was acclaimed for his drawing and art anatomy instruction. Marc also studied at the Art Students League of New York under Michael Burban and Nelson Shanks. A devout romantic with a passion for traditional realism and the academic principles of fine art painting, Marc began an intense, fulltime apprenticeship with his father and uncle in his early twenties.

Throughout his life, Marc has been an avid student of art history and has adopted the philosophy of American painter Robert Henri, who wrote, "The object isn't to make art, it is to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable." Marc found great inspiration from his constant

Artist's Magazine. He has won numerous awards including the Governor's Artist of Excellence Award and most recently; BEST IN SHOW at the 2018 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society 'Best of America Exhibition' for his painting "Braids."

exposure to art at home and during his international travels where he studied and observed the works of historical masters including Vel zquez, Repin, Manet and Sargent. From these creative influences, Marc achieved his distinctive style and mastery of brush and pigment.

Today, Marc is regarded as a leading contemporary portrait painter.

He has been featured as one of the top eight portrait artists in America in Money Magazine and is represented

by Portraits, Inc. Marc has been featured in American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, International Artist, and The

Marc is a member of and exhibits with prestigious art organizations including the Salmagundi Club of New York, Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and the Portrait Society of America. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board Member with the Portrait Society of Atlanta. His work hangs in public and private collections in the United States, Mexico and abroad including the Georgia State Capital, Emory Hospital, University of Georgia, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, the Lovett School, and The Westminster Schools.

Marc is also a wellknown and popular instructor.

He honed his teaching skills as an assistant to Roman and Constantin in the Chatov Studio and gradually took over their classes in 1984. Today it

Chatov | 31

stands as the longest running art atelier in Atlanta. Despite his busy schedule, Marc regularly conducts classes, workshops, and lectures. He cherishes the opportunity to work with fellow artistsas much as Marc imparts on them, his pupils also keep him thinking and growing.

Marc's students, collectors and viewers are most impressed with the exquisite colors and brushwork that makes his portraits and easel works so distinctive. The luminous skin tones and palpable textures that characterize his paintings are reinforced by his strong

32 | Chatov

knowledge of drawing and anatomy, but it is his ability to capture the spirit of his subject, an ineffable humanity rendered in paint, which moves the viewer. Recalling the wisdom imparted to him by his father, Marc often quotes Roman's favorite truism, "In art, first one becomes a master, then an artist, and finally, a student."

In 2014, the book Chatov was written by Morton Publishing. The book outlines the contributions of numerous members of the Chatov family, including "Marc's undeniable influence on a generation of artists and his gifts to the world of art."

Ci rc e, 2 0 0 1 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 36x60

From an early age I have been captivated by Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. This is a depiction of Circe, an enchantress or goddess of sorcery. Here she offers the viewer her potion that turned men into swine.

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Dans le’ Matin, 2009-2012 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 60x40 A view from my studio.

This interior was painted in my favorite environment of cascading natural light.

Th e Co n ve r s a t i on Ta lk i n g c row , 2014 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 30x48

Inspired

by

a

from my dear friend and master artist; Ben Smith, this is a plein air painting of a wood nymph conversing with a crow.

34 | Chatov

drawing

Pum p k i n He a r t , 2021 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 20x20

True to my nature, colors always catch my eye. While at the market one day I spotted this uniquely colored pumpkin.

I noticed this perfectly formed heart in the mosaic of color on the skin. No question, I had to paint it. *This painting received an 'Award of Distinction' at the American Impressionist Society National

Juried

Exhibition

in

2021.

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Goa t B e l ls, 2 019 Marc Chatov Oil on Panel, 18x14

This

painting

is

a

depiction of favorite things from our farm house. It also showcases my period of white on white still lifes.

36 | Chatov

At t h e B e a c h, 2024 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 20x24

This painting was done with pallet knife. It is our favorite beach vacation spot on Pawleys Island. The cast of characters on the beach and the runaway frisbee inspired me to pick up the brush.

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Vanity, 2024 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 40x30 For me this painting symbolizes

introspection.

The

reflection

young

lady

uncertainty.

of

the

displays I

an

personally

believe human beings don't know how beautiful they really are.

Au ro r a , 2 0 2 4 Marc Chatov Oil on Panel, 6x9

A still life utilizing a Russian tea

holder

that

has

been

in

my

family for generations and brought to America when my family fled the Russian Revolution in 1920.

38 | Chatov

W ha t t o Wear , 2025 Marc Chatov Oil on Panel, 24x18

A

continuation

Vanity

series

beautiful

line

in

the

depicting

the

of

the

female

figure.

Fa m i ly Re u n io n, 2024 Marc Chatov Oil on Canvas, 18x24

Much like this tapestry, family can get tattered and torn but still remain intact and reveal the beauty of life itself.

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EXHIBITION SPONSORS Thank You

Ashcourt Family Foundation

Jane Jerry

Baton Rouge Area

Elizabeth and Bill Jump

Foundation- The Alma Lee,

Ann Klamon

Norman and Cary Saurage

Klamon Family Foundation

Fund

Dianne and Myron Mall

Debi and David Bock

Marianne and Mark Mahaffey

Marty and Dan Boone

Heath Massey and John

Virginia and Mike Campbell

Mitchener

Hillary Cone

Anita and Larry Maxwell

Claire and Alex Crumbley

Diane and Ray McPhail

Crumbley Family Fund

Melissa and William Meyers

Dan and Merrie Boone

Carol Misner and

Foundation

Ann Huckstep

Margaret and Dallas Denny

Charlene and Tony Palmisano

Lynn DeVault and Glo Ghegan

Kathy and Tony Prosser

Martha and Michael Dupuis

Nancy and Kevin Race

Ruthie and Berryman Edwards

Kimble and Sue Ratliff

Beverly Ellars

Rebecca Crumrine-Rieder and

Sue Emanuelson, Murphy

Doug Rieder

Townsend, and Gregor Turk

Cary Saurage

Cathy and Bob Fisher

Marie Sharpe

Marylon Glass

Anneli and Robert Thiebaut

Nancy and Charles Harrison

Mary and Greg Thompson

Kendra and Rick Hildbold

Elizabeth and Wright Turner

Jo and Jack Hill

Marcia and Charlie Weber

Gail Coutcher Hughes and

Vance and Willis Willey

Tim Hughes

Leonard and Carla Wood

Kathleen and Christopher

Woodcrest Foundation

Hohlstein

Ann Wrobleski

This exhibition catalog was produced through The Bascom's Emerging Designer Program. Seth Baker, a design student at Western Carolina University and one of The Bascom's 2025 Emerging Designers, led the design of this publication as part of a mentored internship focused on arts communications and visual storytelling.

CHATOV

A Retrospective of Works by Roman, Constantin, and Marc Chatov