Zhanatay Shardenov is a painter, the People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR.

He was born in the village of Kovylenko, Tselinograd, now Akmola region, and graduated from the Almty Art College named after N.V. Gogol. It is now Art College named after U. Tansykbaev. He also studied at the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture named after I.E. Repin as a free student. In 1955 he returned to Alma-Ata and actively participated in the artistic life of the republic.

His works are easily recognized by the generous pastose strokes, subtle, harmonious colouring, and energetic mood. Avoiding bright colours, he found attractive beauty in soft, complex shades-purple, brownish ochre, bluish grey. The peculiar manner of Chardenov’s painting is an expression of his bright individual inner world, and perception of nature. The work A Shield of the City, presented in the exhibition, is no exception.