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

Maharbek Safarovich Tuganov (1881 - 1952)
Maharbek Safarovich Tuganov
1881 - 1952
Leo Fomich Langinen (1926 - 1996)
Leo Fomich Langinen
1926 - 1996
Lev Alexandrovich Judin (1903 - 1941)
Lev Alexandrovich Judin
1903 - 1941
Stanislav Mikhailovich Nikireev (1932 - 2007)
Stanislav Mikhailovich Nikireev
1932 - 2007
Robert Lvovich Genin (1884 - 1941)
Robert Lvovich Genin
1884 - 1941
Mikhail Vrubel (1856 - 1910)
Mikhail Vrubel
1856 - 1910
Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov (1882 - 1943)
Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov
1882 - 1943
Vasily Ivanovich Agibalov (1913 - 2002)
Vasily Ivanovich Agibalov
1913 - 2002
Yevgeny Ivanovich Stolitsa (1870 - 1929)
Yevgeny Ivanovich Stolitsa
1870 - 1929
Apollon Nikolaevich Mokritsky (1810 - 1870)
Apollon Nikolaevich Mokritsky
1810 - 1870
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Vesnin (1883 - 1959)
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Vesnin
1883 - 1959
Stanislav Yulianovich Zhukovsky (1873 - 1944)
Stanislav Yulianovich Zhukovsky
1873 - 1944
Ksenia Nikolaevna Uspenskaya (1922 - 2019)
Ksenia Nikolaevna Uspenskaya
1922 - 2019
Shaya Noevich Melamud (1911 - 1993)
Shaya Noevich Melamud
1911 - 1993
Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina (1889 - 1953)
Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina
1889 - 1953
Vladimir Nikolaevich Domogatsky (1876 - 1939)
Vladimir Nikolaevich Domogatsky
1876 - 1939

Creators Avant-garde

Eduard Leonidovich Zelenin (1938 - 2002)
Eduard Leonidovich Zelenin
1938 - 2002
Édouard Pail (1851 - 1916)
Édouard Pail
1851 - 1916
Tommaso Aloisio Juvara (1809 - 1875)
Tommaso Aloisio Juvara
1809 - 1875
Boris Valentinovich Shcherbakov (1916 - 1995)
Boris Valentinovich Shcherbakov
1916 - 1995
Edward Middleton Manigault (1887 - 1922)
Edward Middleton Manigault
1887 - 1922
Cornelis De Vos (1585 - 1651)
Cornelis De Vos
1585 - 1651
Knud Bergslien (1827 - 1908)
Knud Bergslien
1827 - 1908
Giuseppe de Nittis (1846 - 1884)
Giuseppe de Nittis
1846 - 1884
George Catlin (1796 - 1872)
George Catlin
1796 - 1872
Giussepe Renda (1859 - 1939)
Giussepe Renda
1859 - 1939
Emilia Mediz-Pelikan (1861 - 1908)
Emilia Mediz-Pelikan
1861 - 1908
Aleksandra Mitrfanovna Beltsova (1892 - 1981)
Aleksandra Mitrfanovna Beltsova
1892 - 1981
Cesare Vianello (1862 - 1953)
Cesare Vianello
1862 - 1953
Maximilian Lenz (1860 - 1948)
Maximilian Lenz
1860 - 1948
Johann Bernard Klombeck (1815 - 1893)
Johann Bernard Klombeck
1815 - 1893
Hans von Bartels (1856 - 1913)
Hans von Bartels
1856 - 1913
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