Boris Kustodiev

Boris Kustodiev was a Russian and later Soviet painter and stage designer. He was born in Astrakhan into the family of a professor of philosophy, history of literature, and logic at the local theological seminary. He showed an early interest in art and took private lessons from a local painter. He later studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg under Ilya Repin, who became his mentor and friend. He also learned sculpture and etching from other teachers. He first exhibited his works in 1896 and received a grant from the Academy to travel to France and Spain in 1904. He was influenced by the Impressionists and the Art Nouveau movement. He also visited Italy, Austria, and Germany in the following years. He married Julia Proshinskaya in 1903 and had two children, Irina and Evgeny. He became a member of the Union of Russian Artists and the World of Art group. He painted portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, and historical subjects. He also designed costumes and sets for operas and ballets. He was especially fond of depicting the festive and colorful life of the Russian merchant class, which he observed in his childhood. He also portrayed the revolutionary events of 1905 and 1917, as well as the new Soviet society. He developed a distinctive style of bright colors, rich textures, and decorative patterns. He was praised for his vivid and expressive paintings, which captured the spirit and mood of his time. He suffered from tuberculosis since 1907 and became paralyzed in 1916. He continued to paint from his wheelchair until his death in 1927. He was buried in the Smolenskoye Orthodox Cemetery in Saint Petersburg. He is regarded as one of the most original and popular Russian painters of the 20th century. His works are displayed in many museums and galleries in Russia and abroad.