Ivan Nikitich Nikitin (1680 - 1742)

Ivan Nikitich Nikitin

Ivan Nikitich Nikitin (Russian: Иван Никитич Никитин) was a Russian painter renowned for his masterful portraits and battle paintings, born around 1690 in Moscow into an Orthodox priest's family. His early exposure to art came from Dutch artist Schwonbek at the Kremlin Armoury engraving shop. Nikitin’s talent flourished under the patronage of Peter the Great, leading to his appointment as a court painter after educational stints in Florence and Venice.

Nikitin's artistry is marked by a transition from the rigid, dark background of the parsuna style to the vibrant and emotive tones of Baroque painting. His most celebrated works, often housed in major Russian museums like the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum, include portraits of significant historical figures such as Peter the Great and Count G. I. Golovkin. These works are praised for their psychological depth and the innovative use of light and shadow typical of the Baroque period.

Tragically, Nikitin’s career suffered a severe setback when he was imprisoned and later exiled due to political turmoil, although he was eventually pardoned. His life ended on a poignant note as he died in 1742 while returning to Saint Petersburg after his amnesty.

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