They nod in approval at 52-year-old Maksimtsov—a former Soviet police colonel, now fighter guru—who has dedicated his life to preserving the secret martial art of the USSR.

More Soviet Union paintings will also be auctioned in March. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook , X and Instagram . Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630 .

What became the Soviet Union witnessed a period of rare cultural ferment that lasted for a dozen years or so, until crushed by Stalin’s attacks on “formalism” and elevation of Socialist Realism.

“In 1919,” says co-curator Kädi Talvoja, “the Soviet Union elected to keep ballet.” Ballet became the Soviet calling card for the world. “The repertoire changed of course,” says Talvoja, “but it was ...

‘These works speak to the paradox of the Soviet Union during its early decades, ... Working Men and Women – Everyone to the Election of ... a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at ...

Art Duo Komar and Melamid Were Laughed Out of the Soviet Union. ... Men of the Zeitgeist. In the ... Robert Hughes praised the show in Time for nailing the “correct borsht-and-gravy colors of ...