Alexandre Jacovleff

Alexandre Jacovleff was a Russian-born French painter who was known for his portraits and genre scenes of exotic cultures. He was born in Saint Petersburg to a wealthy family of French origin. He studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts under Kardovsky and became a member of the Mir Iskusstva movement. He traveled extensively in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and was fascinated by the diversity of people and landscapes. He painted portraits of celebrities, diplomats, and writers, such as Daniele Varè, Josephine Baker, and Henri Barbusse. He also painted genre scenes of everyday life in different countries, such as Morocco, China, and India. He used vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes to capture the atmosphere and mood of his subjects. He also worked as an illustrator for books and magazines, such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and L'Illustration. He participated in several exhibitions, such as the Salon d'Automne, the Salon des Tuileries, and the Venice Biennale. He received the Legion of Honor from the French government in 1926. He died in 1938 in Nice, where he had a studio. His works are in the collections of several museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée du Quai Branly, and the National Gallery of Art.