Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Oil on canvas.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Oil on canvas.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colors and unusual compositions.

Watercolor, whitewash on paper.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Oil on canvas; 44 x 60 cm.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colors and unusual compositions.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (Russian, 1870 - 1905) was a Russian painter, prominent for his unique Post-Impressionistic style that mixed symbolism, pure decorative style and realism. Together with Mikhail Vrubel he is often referred as the creator of Russian Symbolism style.

Oil on Canvas; 86 x 69 cm.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colous and unusual compositions.

ВИКТОР БОРИСОВ-МУСАТОВ - Дама у гобелена. Портрет Надежды Юрьевны Станюкович

☆📝

Location: State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.

Source: my.tretyakov.ru/app/masterpiece/9012

Rus: В 1902 году Борисов-Мусатов познакомился с женщиной, которая вошла в его творческую судьбу как долгожданное воплощение его Музы. Весной 1902 года в Саратов приехал из Харькова отставной офицер, литератор, некогда товарищ детских лет поэта Брюсова Владимир Константинович Станюкович с женой Надеждой Юрьевной и пятилетним сыном Колей. Мусатов был поражен обликом Надежды Станюкович. В воспоминаниях В.К. Станюкович пишет, что его жена - "урожденная Рышкова, происходила из старой русской дворянской семьи… Кровь старых родов сказалась в тонкой асимметрии лица, делавшей ее необыкновенно похожей на образ Симонетты Боттичелли. Наиболее схожим ее портретом следует признать “Мадонну с гранатом” Боттичелли. Черты преждевременной усталости в соединении с необыкновенной энергией, устремленной на помощь ближним, особенно пленяли Мусатова..."

Не случайно в эту пору Мусатов украсил стены своей мастерской репродукциями с картин великого флорентийца. Отражения ее облика видел Мусатов в Надежде Юрьевне. Судьба подарила ему возможность как бы пойти по стопам любимейшего художника: Станюкович привез из смоленского имения предков два старинных наряда. Мусатов “влюбился” в один из них – стеганый шелковый капотик бронзового цвета с кружевным воротником, украшенный вышитыми цветами. В марте 1903 года Мусатов писал с восторгом: "Мы сидим по целым дням дома и рисуем с Надежды Юрьевны. Она отлично позирует в костюме прабабушки...". Так рождалась "Дама у гобелена". В этой пастели В.Э. Борисова-Мусатова физические свойства бумаги "verge" претворяются в эстетический прием. Он использует сорт вержированной бумаги, в котором неравномерная толщина проявляет себя на поверхности листа, удерживая частицы красочного пигмента. Сетка "verge" уподоблена канве, по которой Борисов-Мусатов вышивает свой узор, вплетая в рисунок бумаги длинные нити пастельных штрихов, превращая портрет на фоне гобелена в гобелен.

Судьба "Дамы у гобелена", Надежды Юрьевны Станюкович, была трагической. Сопровождая мужа на Русско-японской войне, она работала в госпитале и пережила глубокий нервный срыв, после чего заболела и 21 августа 1905 года скончалась.

Brown ink on paper; 35 x 22 cm.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colors and unusual compositions.

Majolica.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

ВИКТОР БОРИСОВ-МУСАТОВ - Розы в стакане

☆📝

Collection of Iveta and Tamaz Manasherov, Moscow, Russia.

Source: sammlung.ru/?p=50663

Oil on canvas; 60.8 x 60.8 cm.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colors and unusual compositions.

Majolica tile.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Oil on canvas; 187 x 142.5 cm.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Charcoal, watercolor, gouache on paper.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (Russian, 1870 - 1905) was a Russian painter, prominent for his unique Post-Impressionistic style that mixed symbolism, pure decorative style and realism. Together with Mikhail Vrubel he is often referred as the creator of Russian Symbolism style.

Oil on canvas.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (Russian, 1870 - 1905) was a Russian painter, prominent for his unique Post-Impressionistic style that mixed symbolism, pure decorative style and realism. Together with Mikhail Vrubel he is often referred as the creator of Russian Symbolism style.

ЧАЙЛЬД ХАССАМ - Монток

☆📀

Location: The Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA.

Source: www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/2141

Смотришь на этот романтический пейзаж и в памяти сразу возникают похожие образы на картинах русского символиста Борисова-Мусатова (Victor Borisov-Musatov):

www.flickr.com/photos/140907479@N08/albums/72177720304175...

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colous and unusual compositions.

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (Russian, 1870 - 1905) was a Russian painter, prominent for his unique Post-Impressionistic style that mixed symbolism, pure decorative style and realism. Together with Mikhail Vrubel he is often referred as the creator of Russian Symbolism style.

Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (Russian, 1870 - 1905) was a Russian painter, prominent for his unique Post-Impressionistic style that mixed symbolism, pure decorative style and realism. Together with Mikhail Vrubel he is often referred as the creator of Russian Symbolism style.

Charcoal Pencil and Sanguine on Paper; 35.5 x 29.5 cm.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

The Emerald Necklace, 1903-1904

Watercolor on paper.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel, born at Omsk in Siberia, in 1856, was the son of an officer of the Russian army - Alexander Vrubel. The family had many different ethnic roots -- Russian, Polish, Tartar and Danish. Mikhail Vrubel had an older sister Anna with whom he kept a friendly relationship until his death. His younger sister Ekaterina and brother Alexander died in childhood. This caused a deep trauma for the artist. Despite his father's rank as a colonel, the family was never prosperous. Moreover, military attitudes were not emphasized in the family; on the contrary, the parents, especially Alexander, taught the children fundamental educational skills, providing them with literature in several languages (Latin, French, German), encouraging and stimulating the children's interest in history, art, theater, music, and literature.

Mikhail Vrubel was interested in drawing from childhood. Alexander Vrubel had a positive attitude towards his son's enthusiasm for painting. Vrubel received formal painting lessons at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at St. Petersburg in 1864, and 1868-1869. He studied as a law student at St. Petersburg University from 1874 to 1880, but simultaneously he began to take painting classes during 1878-1879. During his study at St. Petersburg University he learned German philosophy with great enthusiasm, especially the theories of Nietzche, along with the idealist philosophers Kant and Schopenhauer.

After graduation from the Law Department, Vrubel entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (one of the leading schools in Russia at that time) as a full-time student in 1880, where he studied under Pavel Chistyakov until 1884. This teacher, famous for his teaching abilities in painting and drawing, played a significant role in the development of Vrubel's style, developing in him a taste for detail. Such Russian painters as Ilya Repin, Vasilii Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasilii Surikov were also appreciative pupils of Chistyakov. The artist shared with his teacher the idea of the primary importance of drawing, modeling, form over color, and appreciation of the monumentality of classical art. Vrubel had great respect for the Art Academy and never dismissed its influence on his art as many advanced artists of the time did. In his autobiography, written in 1901, Vrubel referred to his Academy years as the happiest in his life as an artist.

The next step in the development of Vrubel's artistic career began in Kiev in April 1884 when he accepted an invitation from professor Adrian Prakhov to take part in the restoration work of old Russian churches in Kiev. Not incidentally during the 1884-1889 period Vrubel painted not only the commissioned religious works, but also images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels for himself. Working in the twelfth century churches, trying to find unity with the style of the old frescoes, Vrubel remained a prominent artist of the late nineteenth century. In the figures of the saints and angels, in the plasticity of their forms and in the psychological importance of drawing, compositions, and color are evidence that Vrubel was closer to the modern ways of painting than to Byzantine and Old-Russian frescoes and mosaics. He was one of the first Russian artists who tried to develop a style that unified old traditions and modern sensibility, a style which became a basis for his future artistic experimentation.

The analysis of Vrubel's work done in Moscow, where he lived during the two decade period (1889-1910), shows the influence of old traditions and contemporary artistic movements -- Neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau. Some of the artist's work have features similar to Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism, Futurism, Cubism which soon caught on with many painters in the Russian Avant-Garde.

Among the advanced Russian artists of the turn of the century, such as Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Victor Borisov-Musatov, Vrubel stands out because of the originality of his art. Despite the absence of direct followers, the importance of Vrubel's art should not be underestimated. He pointed the way and made possible the experiments of the succeeding decades. This many-sided painter, sculptor, theater designer, draftsman, and illustrator can be considered as a transitional figure between traditional and modern art because of his influence on and inspiration for the artists of a new generation.

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Viktor Borisov-Musatov - Pond (1902)

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from icon painters and a signmaker. He took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1893. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, R. Meltzer. Petrov-Vodkin was introduced to the guest and impressed him enough to get an invitation to study art at Saint Petersburg. He also met at this time Borisov-Musatov, an important painter resident in Saratov, who encouraged Petrov-Vodkin to continue his studies. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1895 to 1897 studying at the Baron Stieglits School, before moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. There Petrov-Vodkin was a student of Valentin Serov, Isaak Levitan and especially Konstantin Korovin.

Even during his college years, he managed to enter into conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church, which discarded his work on a chapel in Samara. A number of his early works were deemed too erotic. His first well-known work was The Dream (1910), which sparked a discussion among contemporary Russian artists. Other major works of that time include Boys at play, and, notably, Bathing of a Red Horse, his most iconic work. The latter became an instant classic. During this stage he extensively used an aesthetic of Orthodox icon together with brighter colors and unusual compositions.

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland

Victor Borisov-Musatov1870-1905 Rusland