1. 22 May


    Reading (1890). Ilya Galkin (Russian, 1860-1915). “To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.” -- A C Grayling, Financial Times (in a review of A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel)

    Reading (1890). Ilya Galkin (Russian, 1860-1915).

    “To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.” -- A C Grayling, Financial Times (in a review of A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel)

     

  2. 13 May


    Purity. Andrew Atroshenko (Russian, Romanticism, Impressionism,  born 1965). Oil on canvas. “Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.” — Thomas a Kempis 

    Purity. Andrew Atroshenko (Russian, Romanticism, Impressionism,  born 1965). Oil on canvas.

    “Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.” — Thomas a Kempis 

     

  3. 4 May


    Inspiration 2 (Harp). Lena Sotskova (Russian, 1963-)       An “Inspiration” series was born in Rome under an influence of contrast between quiet corners of small cafés and inspired passion of music from Italian musicians, fast changed sunlight, and beautiful architecture. — Lena Sotskova      

    Inspiration 2 (Harp). Lena Sotskova (Russian, 1963-)      

    An “Inspiration” series was born in Rome under an influence of contrast between quiet corners of small cafés and inspired passion of music from Italian musicians, fast changed sunlight, and beautiful architecture. — Lena Sotskova      

     

  4. 28 Apr


    Portrait of a Daughter (2002). Marina V. Chulovich (Russian, 1956-). Oil on canvas.  My children are Victor, Olga, Sergey, Nicolas, I began to paint their portraits to help me escape the problems. I reproduce on the canvas the moment of bright sunshine on a sunny day, and happiness. The sunbeams from the window show on the table and in the eyes of the children. 

    Portrait of a Daughter (2002). Marina V. Chulovich (Russian, 1956-). Oil on canvas. 

    My children are Victor, Olga, Sergey, Nicolas, I began to paint their portraits to help me escape the problems. I reproduce on the canvas the moment of bright sunshine on a sunny day, and happiness. The sunbeams from the window show on the table and in the eyes of the children. 

     

  5. 22 Apr


    Amateur (1862). Vasily Perov (Russian, Realism, 1833-1882). Oil on canvas. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Although his early career produced a number of highly satirical works reminiscent of Fedotov, Perov is best remembered for his sympathetic treatment of scenes dealing with peasant life. Perov usually employed his characteristic grayish-brown palette in such works.

    Amateur (1862). Vasily Perov (Russian, Realism, 1833-1882). Oil on canvas. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

    Although his early career produced a number of highly satirical works reminiscent of Fedotov, Perov is best remembered for his sympathetic treatment of scenes dealing with peasant life. Perov usually employed his characteristic grayish-brown palette in such works.

     

  6. 4 Apr


    Saying goodbye to the day. Alexander Averin (Russian, 1952-).  Averin’s style is realistic, with a strong influence of the late 19th Century Russian painters, usually depicting domestic scenes in a soft twilight. Like Pavel Fedotov, Averin’s favourite painter, he works outside in the air, using surroundings to inspire the brush and compliment the work.

    Saying goodbye to the day. Alexander Averin (Russian, 1952-). 

    Averin’s style is realistic, with a strong influence of the late 19th Century Russian painters, usually depicting domestic scenes in a soft twilight. Like Pavel Fedotov, Averin’s favourite painter, he works outside in the air, using surroundings to inspire the brush and compliment the work.

     

  7. 17 Mar


    A Lutist (1904). Aleksey (Stepanovich) Stepanov (Russian, 1858-1923). Oil on panel. Stepanov began by painting small genre scenes in the style of Pryanishnikov, through whom he became interested in the hunt. He progressed from hunting scenes to animal painting, and he became a leader in the genre. He joined the Wanderers in 1891, exhibiting with them from 1888 to 1900.

    A Lutist (1904). Aleksey (Stepanovich) Stepanov (Russian, 1858-1923). Oil on panel.

    Stepanov began by painting small genre scenes in the style of Pryanishnikov, through whom he became interested in the hunt. He progressed from hunting scenes to animal painting, and he became a leader in the genre. He joined the Wanderers in 1891, exhibiting with them from 1888 to 1900.

     

  8. 11 Mar


    Blue Note II. Anna Razumovskaya. With her classic figurative forms, highly acclaimed Russian artist Anna Razumovskaya magically captures the lyrical romanticism of renaissance portraiture, while creating art that is completely modern and original. The passionate and dynamic application of paint on the canvas and the artist’s signature use of expressive colour, combine to create her uniquely recognisable style.

    Blue Note II. Anna Razumovskaya.

    With her classic figurative forms, highly acclaimed Russian artist Anna Razumovskaya magically captures the lyrical romanticism of renaissance portraiture, while creating art that is completely modern and original. The passionate and dynamic application of paint on the canvas and the artist’s signature use of expressive colour, combine to create her uniquely recognisable style.

     

  9. 5 Mar


    Green Violinist (Violiniste), 1923–24. Marc Chagall (Russian, Expressionism, 1887–1985). Oil on canvas. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. In Green Violinist, based on earlier versions of the same subject, Chagall evoked his homeland. His cultural and religious legacy is illuminated by the figure of the violinist dancing in a rustic village. The Chabad Hasidim of Chagall’s childhood believed it possible to achieve communion with God through music and dance, and the fiddler was a vital presence in ceremonies and festivals.

    Green Violinist (Violiniste), 1923–24. Marc Chagall (Russian, Expressionism, 1887–1985). Oil on canvas. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

    In Green Violinist, based on earlier versions of the same subject, Chagall evoked his homeland. His cultural and religious legacy is illuminated by the figure of the violinist dancing in a rustic village. The Chabad Hasidim of Chagall’s childhood believed it possible to achieve communion with God through music and dance, and the fiddler was a vital presence in ceremonies and festivals.

     

  10. 5 Mar


    Ilmira Bagautdinova dancing in the rain. Photo by Mark Olich. Bagautdinova (Russian, 1981-) follows her parents who were soloists of the Kirov (Mariinsky) Theater. In 1991 Elmira entered the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Her talent as a dancer was recognized early and while still a student she successfully performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater as a Fairy in The Fairy of Dolls and as Masha in The Nutcracker.

    Ilmira Bagautdinova dancing in the rain. Photo by Mark Olich.

    Bagautdinova (Russian, 1981-) follows her parents who were soloists of the Kirov (Mariinsky) Theater. In 1991 Elmira entered the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Her talent as a dancer was recognized early and while still a student she successfully performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater as a Fairy in The Fairy of Dolls and as Masha in The Nutcracker.

     

  11. 3 Mar


    Portrait of the Composer Anton Rubinstein (1887). Ilya Repin (Russian, 1844–1930). Oil on canvas. The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg. Although best remembered as a pianist and educator (most notably as the composition teacher of Tchaikovsky), Rubinstein (Russian, 1829-1894) was also a prolific composer. He wrote operas, including The Demon, piano concertos, symphonies, and other works. Rubinstein chose to write in an early-Romantic Germanic style and did not exploit the native characteristics of Russian music in his work.  

    Portrait of the Composer Anton Rubinstein (1887). Ilya Repin (Russian, 1844–1930). Oil on canvas. The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.

    Although best remembered as a pianist and educator (most notably as the composition teacher of Tchaikovsky), Rubinstein (Russian, 1829-1894) was also a prolific composer. He wrote operas, including The Demon, piano concertos, symphonies, and other works. Rubinstein chose to write in an early-Romantic Germanic style and did not exploit the native characteristics of Russian music in his work.

     

     

  12. 1 Mar


    Birds of Paradise. Anna Vinogradova (Russia, 1975-). Oil on canvas.  Vinogradova’s father was a renowned Russian architect, and her mother was an expert on ancient Russian cultures.  She received an excellent education, which encompassed music, ballet and painting. In 1994, Vinogradova entered the prestigious Yaroslavl Arts College, then the St. Petersburg Academy of Art (Repin Institute). There she studied painting, sculpture, and architecture.  

    Birds of Paradise. Anna Vinogradova (Russia, 1975-). Oil on canvas. 

    Vinogradova’s father was a renowned Russian architect, and her mother was an expert on ancient Russian cultures.  She received an excellent education, which encompassed music, ballet and painting.

    In 1994, Vinogradova entered the prestigious Yaroslavl Arts College, then the St. Petersburg Academy of Art (Repin Institute). There she studied painting, sculpture, and architecture.  

     

  13. 10 Feb


    Portrait of the Artist Tatiana Lyubatovich (c. 1886). Konstantin Korovin (Russian, Impressionism, 1861-1939). Oil on canvas. Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.  The portrait of Lyubatovich (1859-1932) brings out the poetic nature of the singer. The artist coped admirably with a complex task here: the woman is seated with her back to a window, with a lush green background, wearing a white dress and holding a book in her hands; her bearing is simple and natural; the creeping violet and rose-coloured patches of sunlight on her dress lend her figure a light and delicate quality.

    Portrait of the Artist Tatiana Lyubatovich (c. 1886). Konstantin Korovin (Russian, Impressionism, 1861-1939). Oil on canvas. Russian Museum, St. Petersburg. 

    The portrait of Lyubatovich (1859-1932) brings out the poetic nature of the singer. The artist coped admirably with a complex task here: the woman is seated with her back to a window, with a lush green background, wearing a white dress and holding a book in her hands; her bearing is simple and natural; the creeping violet and rose-coloured patches of sunlight on her dress lend her figure a light and delicate quality.

     

  14. 7 Feb


    Portrait of the ballet dancer Sofia Golovkina (1915-2002), 1944. Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov (Russian, 1881-1963). Oil on canvas. Regional A. Gerasimov Art Museum, Michurinsk. In 1933, Golovkina graduated from the Moscow Choreographic School and was accepted into the ballet company of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, where she performed until 1959. Her parts included Odette-Odile in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, the title role in Glazunov’s Raymonda, Diane Mireille in The Flames of Paris (State Prize of the USSR, 1947), and Swanilda in Delibes’s Coppélia.

    Portrait of the ballet dancer Sofia Golovkina (1915-2002), 1944. Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov (Russian, 1881-1963). Oil on canvas. Regional A. Gerasimov Art Museum, Michurinsk.

    In 1933, Golovkina graduated from the Moscow Choreographic School and was accepted into the ballet company of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, where she performed until 1959. Her parts included Odette-Odile in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, the title role in Glazunov’s Raymonda, Diane Mireille in The Flames of Paris (State Prize of the USSR, 1947), and Swanilda in Delibes’s Coppélia.

     

  15. 4 Feb


    Reading Girl (1876). Ilya Repin (Russian, Realism, 1844-1930). Oil on canvas. Repin studied at the Imperial Academy. From 1873 to 1876 on the Academy’s allowance, Repin sojourned in Italy and lived in Paris, where he was exposed to French Impressionist painting, which had a lasting effect upon his use of light and colour. His style was to remain closer to that of the old European masters, especially Rembrandt, and he never embraced Impressionism.

    Reading Girl (1876). Ilya Repin (Russian, Realism, 1844-1930). Oil on canvas.

    Repin studied at the Imperial Academy. From 1873 to 1876 on the Academy’s allowance, Repin sojourned in Italy and lived in Paris, where he was exposed to French Impressionist painting, which had a lasting effect upon his use of light and colour. His style was to remain closer to that of the old European masters, especially Rembrandt, and he never embraced Impressionism.