Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin (1878 - 1939)

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin (1878 - 1939) - photo 1

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin

Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin (Russian: Кузьма Сергеевич Петров-Водкин), a Russian painter, synthesized various traditions of global art, crafting a unique and deeply personal visual language. Born in 1878 in Khvalynsk, Saratov oblast, Russian Empire, Petrov-Vodkin is celebrated for his innovative approach to perspective, color, and composition, which positioned him as a pivotal figure in the art world of his time. He passed away in 1939 in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, Russia.

Petrov-Vodkin's education in the arts took him from the Baron Stieglits School in Saint Petersburg to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, where he was mentored by notable artists such as Valentin Serov. His studies abroad, including in Munich under Anton Ažbe, further enriched his artistic development. Notably, his marriage to Maria Jovanovic in Paris in 1906 marked a significant personal chapter, providing him with a lifelong companion and collaborator.

His work is distinguished by the use of "spherical perspective," a technique that distorts the drawing to emphasize the globe's curvature, making the viewer feel simultaneously distant and intimately close to the subject. This method, influenced by Byzantine iconography's inverted perspective, is evident in works like "Death of a Commissar" and "In the Line of Fire." Petrov-Vodkin's palette darkened over time, and his subjects diversified to include still life and portraiture, reflecting a broader exploration of theme and form. Despite facing health challenges, including pulmonary tuberculosis which limited his painting in later years, he remained prolific in other creative avenues, including literature, where his semi-autobiographical works are held in high regard.

His legacy is enshrined in the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, which houses the largest collection of his works and dedicates a room to his art in their permanent exhibition. Additionally, a memorial museum in his hometown of Khvalynsk pays tribute to his contributions to Russian and Soviet art.

For collectors and art and antiques experts intrigued by Petrov-Vodkin's profound impact on Russian art, signing up for updates can ensure access to the latest sales and auction events related to his oeuvre. This subscription is a gateway to exploring the depth and breadth of Petrov-Vodkin's artistic achievements and ensuring enthusiasts are well-informed of opportunities to engage with his work​​​.

Date and place of birt:5 november 1878, Khvalynsk, Russia
Date and place of death:15 february 1939, St. Petersburg, Russia
Nationality:Russia
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Educator, Graphic artist, Painter, Playwright, Public figure, Scientist, Writer
Art school / group:Mir iskusstva
Genre:Genre art, Portrait, Religious genre, Still life
Art style:Realism, Avant-garde, Symbolism

Creators Russia

Vladimir Sergeyevich Lemport (1922 - 2001)
Vladimir Sergeyevich Lemport
1922 - 2001
Yevsey Yevseyevich Moiseyenko (1916 - 1988)
Yevsey Yevseyevich Moiseyenko
1916 - 1988
Leonid Romanovich Sologub (1884 - 1956)
Leonid Romanovich Sologub
1884 - 1956
Boris Iosifovich Zhutovsky (1932 - 2023)
Boris Iosifovich Zhutovsky
1932 - 2023
Vitaly Anatol'evich Komar (1943)
Vitaly Anatol'evich Komar
1943
Maria Alexeyevna Fedorova (1859 - 1934)
Maria Alexeyevna Fedorova
1859 - 1934
Constantin Terechkovitch (1902 - 1978)
Constantin Terechkovitch
1902 - 1978
Apolinary Gilyaryevich Horawski (1833 - 1900)
Apolinary Gilyaryevich Horawski
1833 - 1900
Boris Nikolaevich Koshelokhov (1942 - 2021)
Boris Nikolaevich Koshelokhov
1942 - 2021
Alexander Adolfovich Debler (1908 - 1981)
Alexander Adolfovich Debler
1908 - 1981
Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov (1882 - 1954)
Mikhail Ivanovich Avilov
1882 - 1954
Ivan Choultse (1874 - 1939)
Ivan Choultse
1874 - 1939
Nikolay Dem'yanovich Gritsyuk (1922 - 1976)
Nikolay Dem'yanovich Gritsyuk
1922 - 1976
Abram Borisovich Grushko (1918 - 1980)
Abram Borisovich Grushko
1918 - 1980
Nikita Petrovich Fedosov (1939 - 1992)
Nikita Petrovich Fedosov
1939 - 1992
Eduard Moiseevich Puterbrot (1940 - 1993)
Eduard Moiseevich Puterbrot
1940 - 1993

Creators Avant-garde

Igor Vladimirovich Pchelnikov (1931 - 2021)
Igor Vladimirovich Pchelnikov
1931 - 2021
Robert Lvovich Genin (1884 - 1941)
Robert Lvovich Genin
1884 - 1941
Anatolii Nikolaevich Shipov (1929 - 1986)
Anatolii Nikolaevich Shipov
1929 - 1986
Aleksandr Arkad'evich Labas (1900 - 1983)
Aleksandr Arkad'evich Labas
1900 - 1983
Lionel Edwards (1878 - 1966)
Lionel Edwards
1878 - 1966
Ghulam Rasool Santosh (1929 - 1997)
Ghulam Rasool Santosh
1929 - 1997
Wilhelm Carl Melchior Simmler (1840 - 1923)
Wilhelm Carl Melchior Simmler
1840 - 1923
Paul Jouve (1878 - 1973)
Paul Jouve
1878 - 1973
Varvara Dmitrievna Bubnova (1886 - 1983)
Varvara Dmitrievna Bubnova
1886 - 1983
Francis Alexander (1800 - 1880)
Francis Alexander
1800 - 1880
Martin Frost (1875 - 1928)
Martin Frost
1875 - 1928
Odd Nerdrum (1944)
Odd Nerdrum
1944
Cornelis Jacobsz Delff (1570 - 1643)
Cornelis Jacobsz Delff
1570 - 1643
Heinrich Ferdinand Hofmann (1824 - 1911)
Heinrich Ferdinand Hofmann
1824 - 1911
Edmund Blampied (1886 - 1966)
Edmund Blampied
1886 - 1966
Piotr Petrovich Belousov (1912 - 1989)
Piotr Petrovich Belousov
1912 - 1989
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