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1841 - 1910

Arkhip Kuindzhi

description

A famous Russian and Ukrainian landscape painter of Greek origin, a master of Impressionist painting, a talented teacher and the founder of the Society for the Assistance to Artists (it was named after the artist when the master was alive). Starting his painting career with Wanderers (he was a member of the Association of The Wanderers until 1880), he left it resolutely and irrevocably after a trip to France. At the same time, Kuindzhi’s searches in the field of light-color painting began earlier; this allowed Alexander Benois to say that Arkhip Ivanovich himself came to Impressionism no later than Impressionists themselves and that his role for the new Russian fine arts is comparable to that of French art.

Key ideas:

– Showing a noticeable interest in the ideas of the Impressionists, Kuindzhi did not follow the path of literally applying their methods and techniques, as, for example, it was done by K. Korovin and I. Grabar. Kuindzhi’s attitude towards the technique of Impressionism can be called typologically close to Romanticism. This manifested itself in the plots, often reflecting rather the stormy state of nature than calm; both in the picturesque freedom of a nervous and dynamic brushstroke and in the increased psychologization of landscape images.

– Kuindzhi’s key task was the development of the light and air environment that helps comprehend the way of its influence on the tone and subject coloring. Besides that, new techniques should not contradict the Russian landscape tradition. The master’s enthusiasm and perseverance, as vividly seen in numerous etudes, led to the development of a special brushstroke, “vibrating” in unison with the mood of the author.

– Refusing from colorful dryness and density, replacing it with color discontinuity and the effect of translucent canvas, Kuindzhi combined these flickering color plastic techniques with his other key idea – achieving a panoramic image of the landscape, tailing away and lost in the misty expanses of the earth, merging with the skies.

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1841

1855

1865

1868

1870 - 1872

1873 - 1874

1875

1876 - 1878

1880

1890

1901

1904

1910

The birth of the artist

He was born on January 27 into the family of a poor Greek shoemaker in a suburb of Mariupol. Soon he became an orphan.

In Feodosia, he took painting lessons from A. Vessler

In Feodosia, he took painting lessons from A. Vessler, an assistant of Ivan Aivazovsky; however, not receiving support from the famous marine painter, he returned to Mariupol and worked as a retoucher at a photo salon.

He decided to enter the Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg

He decided to enter the Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg, but was accepted only as a listener.

“Tatar Village in Moonlight”

St. Petersburg Academy of Arts awarded him the title of a free artist for the painting “Tatar Village in Moonlight”.

Made a trip to Valaam with other artists

Made a trip to Valaam with other artists. Created his “northern” series; received the title of the professional artist of the 3rd degree.

Traveled to Germany, England, France

Traveled to Germany, England, France; P. Tretyakov bought his first painting, “On the Island of Valaam”, for his gallery. Kuindzhi married Vera Ketcherdzhi.

Became a member of the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions

Became a member of the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions; made the second trip abroad.

“Ukrainian Night”

His innovative painting “Ukrainian Night” triumphantly participated in exhibitions: first in the Fifth Exhibitions of The Wanderers, then in the World exhibition in Paris. The master received the 1st degree title of the professional artist.

"Moonlight Night on the Dnipro river"

Left The Wanderers association; organized an exhibition of one painting “Moonlight Night on the Dnipro river”, then ceasing his exhibition activity.Вышел из состава ТПХВ, организовал выставку одной картины «Лунная ночь на Днепре», прекращая после этого выставочную деятельность.

Settled in the Crimea

Settled in the Crimea; traveled to the Caucasus; became a professor at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts; visited Europe together with students from the landscape workshop.

Allocated 100,000 rubles to the bonus fund for academic exhibitions

After a break of two decades, he showed new works and allocated 100,000 rubles to the bonus fund for academic exhibitions.

The Society of A.I. Kuindzhi was founded for the personal means of the artist

The Society of A.I. Kuindzhi was founded for the personal means of the artist.

The death of the artist

On 24 July, the master ill with pneumonia after catching a cold in the Crimea died and was originally buried at the Smolensk cemetery. In 1952, the ashes were moved to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the Necropolis of Artists.