Konstantin Korovin

The artist was born on the 5th of December in 1861 into a wealthy merchant family of Old Believers.

Like his elder brother Sergey, he entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (the architectural department, then was transferred to the painting department). He was a student of A. Savrasov, then – a student of V. Polenov.

He went to the Petersburg Academy of Arts. Everything seemed alien to him there, so he returned to Moscow. Completed the canvas “Portrait of the chorus girl”, which became the “first sign” of Impressionism in Russia.

Received silver medals for his drawing and sketches, the title of “classless” artist. Entered the circle of S. Mamontov; worked as a theater decorator.

The first trip to Paris, which changed the style of his work and the very attitude to painting as a result of familiarization with the works of the Impressionists. Upon his return, he worked in Zhukovka, the estate of Polenov (the “Zhukovskaya” series, which reflects the Parisian impressions).

His second trip to France, the study of contemporary French art. A great trip to the Russian North, as well as to the New Earth, Norway, Sweden. A series of his paintings, later noticed and acquired by Pavel Tretyakov, appeared.

For the All-Russian Exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod, decorated the pavilion with frescoes in the style of “modern” (ordered by Mamontov). The work was highly appreciated, for example, by Polenov.

He built a cottage on the Nerli on his own project (Okhotino village), painted rural landscapes. Became close to F. Chaliapin, created costumes for him. Created a lot of scenery. Conducted lessons at the Moscow School of Painting and the Stroganov School. Continued to paint “for himself” in the style of impressionism, depicting the landscapes of France (“Paris series”).

He was elected an academician. The artist’s older brother died; the loss of a relative harmed the health of Konstantin.

After the February Revolution, he was invited to the Commission of Artists. After the October Revolution, he worked at the Department of Plastic Arts and in the commission for the protection of monuments of art / antiquities. He refused to teach, went to Okhotino, although it became dangerous there. He continued to work hard.

His personal exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery. He went abroad and did not return then. Korovin’s apartment was tried to be “sealed” and even requisitioned. Settling in Paris, he continued to paint diligently, but the work was not popular; the artist was poor.

n his last years, he suffered a vision loss. Refusing from fine arts, the artist wrote novels, thus earning a living. He died in Paris on September 11, 1939 and was buried at Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois.