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

Sarra Dmitrievna Lebedeva (1892 - 1967)
Sarra Dmitrievna Lebedeva
1892 - 1967
Nikas Safronov (1956)
Nikas Safronov
1956
Jоzef Oleszkiewicz (1777 - 1830)
Jоzef Oleszkiewicz
1777 - 1830
Konstantin Medunetsky (1899 - 1935)
Konstantin Medunetsky
1899 - 1935
Konstantin Aleksandrovich Batynkov (1959)
Konstantin Aleksandrovich Batynkov
1959
Pavel Pavlovich Dzhogin (1834 - 1885)
Pavel Pavlovich Dzhogin
1834 - 1885
Taras Huriyovych Gaponenko (1906 - 1993)
Taras Huriyovych Gaponenko
1906 - 1993
Vsevolod Vladimirovich Voinov (1880 - 1945)
Vsevolod Vladimirovich Voinov
1880 - 1945
Yeranui Arshakovna Aslamazyan (1909 - 1998)
Yeranui Arshakovna Aslamazyan
1909 - 1998
Pyotr Tarasovych Maltsev (1907 - 1993)
Pyotr Tarasovych Maltsev
1907 - 1993
Gleb Borisovich Smirnov (1908 - 1981)
Gleb Borisovich Smirnov
1908 - 1981
Boris Yakovlevich Ryauzov (1919 - 1994)
Boris Yakovlevich Ryauzov
1919 - 1994
Milton Resnick (1917 - 2004)
Milton Resnick
1917 - 2004
Konstantin Fyodorovich Yuon (1875 - 1958)
Konstantin Fyodorovich Yuon
1875 - 1958
Velimir (Viktor Vladimirovich) Khlebnikov (Lunev) (1885 - 1922)
Velimir (Viktor Vladimirovich) Khlebnikov (Lunev)
1885 - 1922
Nikolai Fedorovich Lapshin (1891 - 1942)
Nikolai Fedorovich Lapshin
1891 - 1942

Creators Avant-garde

Mikhail Nikolaevich Mokh (1911 - 1978)
Mikhail Nikolaevich Mokh
1911 - 1978
Gennady Lvovich Rogozny (1948 - 2007)
Gennady Lvovich Rogozny
1948 - 2007
Armand Gautier (1825 - 1894)
Armand Gautier
1825 - 1894
Richard Brydges Beechey (1808 - 1895)
Richard Brydges Beechey
1808 - 1895
Julius Scheuerer (1859 - 1913)
Julius Scheuerer
1859 - 1913
Georges Croegaert (1848 - 1923)
Georges Croegaert
1848 - 1923
Adam Pendleton (1984)
Adam Pendleton
1984
Johann Joseph Geisser (1824 - 1894)
Johann Joseph Geisser
1824 - 1894
Revekka Moiseevna Tsuzmer (1918 - 2009)
Revekka Moiseevna Tsuzmer
1918 - 2009
Paul Wolde (1885 - 1948)
Paul Wolde
1885 - 1948
Richard Pousette-Dart (1916 - 1992)
Richard Pousette-Dart
1916 - 1992
Helen Levitt (1913 - 2009)
Helen Levitt
1913 - 2009
Robert Weir Allan (1851 - 1942)
Robert Weir Allan
1851 - 1942
Elena Aleksandrovna Shchetinkina (1950)
Elena Aleksandrovna Shchetinkina
1950
Tony-François de Bergue (1820 - 1893)
Tony-François de Bergue
1820 - 1893
Albert Stagura (1866 - 1947)
Albert Stagura
1866 - 1947
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