1837 - 1887
Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi attended the Petersburg Academy of
Arts from 1857 to 1863, but he
left before graduation because of the protest against the stagnant rules governing
competitions there. Kramskoi became one of the creators and then a leader of the Petersburg
Artel of Artists. He also was among the founders and participants in the Circle
of the Itinerants. In 1869
Ivan Kramskoi received the title of an Academy member.
The artist wrote art reviews, was an outstanding portraitist and had a great influence
over Russian realist painting.
|
|
| Reading.The portrait of the Artist's wife, 1866-69, Oil on canvas, 64,5 x 56 cm. Tretyakov Gallery, since 1929. |
Kramskoi created a wide range of portraits of his contemporaries. Reading is one of his most poetic and lyrical images.
 |
| Water Nymphs,1871, Oil on canvas, 88 x 132 cm. Tretyakov Gallery, since 1871. |
The Artist depicted fantastic nymphs from N. Gogol's story, expressing the dream of a life.
|
|
| Portrait of the Artist's Daughter, 1882, Oil on canvas,118 x 70 cm, Russian Museum, since 1897. |
Kramskoi painted many portraits of his daughter - future artist. There was a deep friendship between them. Ivan Kramskoi captured the 16 year old Sofia in that sensitive painting, showing her youth, restraint, seriousness, and delicate shyness.
|
|
| Moonlit Night.1880. Oil on canvas, 179 x 135 cm. Tretyakov Gallery. |
|
|
| Unknown Woman.1883. Oil on canvas. 75.5 x 99 cm. Tretyakov Gallery. |
|
|
| Portrait of the Philosopher Vladimir Solovyov.1885. Oil on canvas.113 x 94 cm. Russian Museum. |
