Portrait of a Shock Worker, 1940

The State Museum of Oriental Art

In 1930, Pavel Benkov moved to Samarkand permanently. The beginning of the 1930s in Samarkand was marked by the lively construction of a socialist state. At the same time, the artistic life of the Uzbek republic was becoming more active. Pavel Benkov soon assumed his role as of one of the leaders of the Samarkand painters. He found a job as a teacher in the Samarkand Art College relatively quickly as well as a studio, established his home life and become an ideal Samarkand citizen.

The role of art in the public life of the country had increased. Artists were tasked with reflecting the new socialist way of life — the image of the Soviet working man, the builder of a new life.

In a white turban, gray-bearded, with lively and intelligent eyes, an elderly collective farmer is depicted at the moment when, having finished his work, he throws heavy ketmen on his shoulder with a practised movement. The shock worker's figure is larger than in reality, which gives the image weight and monumentality.