Born in the village of Prislonikha, Plastov studied in Moscow and received art prizes from the Soviet government. He painted primarily genre scenes, landscapes, portraits, and book illustrations.
Plastov's career focused entirely on the Soviet era. He devoted his paintings to the glorification of the Soviet peasant and farmworker in whose gentle spirit, staunchness, patriotism and diligence he saw the true and enduring qualities of Russian life.
