Art A-Z: F – Fedotov Pavel

Pavel Andreevich Fedotov (1815, Moscow – 1852, Saint-Petersburg) – painter.

Made a military career. In 1834 – 1844, during military service in Saint-Petersburg he visited classes at the Academy of Arts and was making aquarelle and pencil sketches of mates and friends. In 1844, Fedotov completely dedicated him-self to art.

In 1849, three Fedotov’s works, that were exposed at the Academy of Art’s exhibition, received positive reviews (Including Matchmaking of the Major – see up).

Nobleman’s Breakfast, 1850

Fedotov’s paintings are full of drama, interesting plots and conflicts. His later works, however, are more pessimistic and more static.

Players, 1851-1852

Tip

If you want to see Fedotov’s works, visit the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the State Russian Museum in Saint-Petersburg.

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Art A-Z: D – Deineka Aleksandr

Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Deineka (1899, Kursk – 1969, Moscow) – painter, illustrator, sculptor.

After studies at Vkhutemas (Art and technical school), he started his career as illustrator at several journals and author of posters. At the same time he made first steps in panel painting, which was influenced by his experience as illustrator.

His favourite subjects were industrialisation, work and leisure of Soviet people, sport.

Defense of Petrograd, 1927

Monumental forms, expression, dynamics, clarity and brightness of colours are the typical traits of Deineka’s style.

Baseball, 1935

Famous works:

• Panels for Soviet Pavilion at World Exhibition in Paris, 1937
• 35 mosaics for Mayakovskaya station, 1938

Tip

Learn more about Mayakovskaya station and A.Deineka in the course of our Metro Tour.

Art A-Z: A – Abramtsevo Circle

(Art A-Z is a dictionary of Russian art)

Abramtsevo circle – fellowship of outstanding Russian artists (painters, sculptors, architects) emerged in mid 1870s in Abramtsevo, estate owned by famous philanthropist Savva Mamontov.

Rich entrepreneur Savva Mamontov bought Abramtsevo, situated not far from Moscow, in 1870, the estate was previously owned by a family of Russian writer, Aksakov.

Mamontov was connoisseur of art and financially supported a lot of artists, including prominent Russian singer Fedor Shalyapin.

In Abramtsevo, Mamontov gathered painters Viktor Vasnetsov, Vasiliy Polenov, Ilya Repin, Mikhail Vrubel, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Nesterov, scultptor Mark Antokolsiy and others. The fellowship did not have any charter or programme and was inspired by Russian history, folklore and fairy tales.

The group’s aesthetics was influenced by modern, symbolism and neo-Russian style, although  each representative had his own particular style.

Left to right – Surikov (seating), Repin, Mamontov (at the piano), Korovin, Serov, Antokolskiy

Mamontov also paid attention to applied arts and created a ceramic workshop in Abramtsevo, which was transferred to Moscow at the beginning of 1900s when the fellowship split up. The workshop was the place where a lot of decorative panels were made for buildings in Moscow.

Tip 1

You can learn more about Savva Mamontov and some members of Abramtsevo Circle in the course of our Walking Tour.

Tip 2

Abramtsevo is open for visits, it is a very nice place to go in summer.