Ushakov, Simon (1626-1686) - 1685 Last Supper
Ushakov was a leading Russian graphic artist of the late 17th-century. Little is known about his early years. At 22 he became a paid artist of the Silver Chamber, affiliated with the Armory Prikaz. The bright, fresh colours and exquisite, curving lines of his proto-baroque icons caught the eye of Patriarch Nikon, who introduced him to tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.
Some of the more conservative Russian priests regarded his icons as "lascivious works of devil", for they were too Western for their tastes. Arch priest Avvakum alleged that Ushakov painted his "fleshly saints" after his own portly appearance.
Ushakov also executed secular commissions and produced engravings for book illustrations making him one of the first secular painters in Russia. Some of his icons, transported to Western Europe, were instrumental in fomenting interest for nascent Russian painting.
Ushakov, Simon (1626-1686) - 1685 Last Supper
Ushakov was a leading Russian graphic artist of the late 17th-century. Little is known about his early years. At 22 he became a paid artist of the Silver Chamber, affiliated with the Armory Prikaz. The bright, fresh colours and exquisite, curving lines of his proto-baroque icons caught the eye of Patriarch Nikon, who introduced him to tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.
Some of the more conservative Russian priests regarded his icons as "lascivious works of devil", for they were too Western for their tastes. Arch priest Avvakum alleged that Ushakov painted his "fleshly saints" after his own portly appearance.
Ushakov also executed secular commissions and produced engravings for book illustrations making him one of the first secular painters in Russia. Some of his icons, transported to Western Europe, were instrumental in fomenting interest for nascent Russian painting.