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

Nikolai Petrovich Feofilaktov (1876 - 1941)
Nikolai Petrovich Feofilaktov
1876 - 1941
Aleksandr Terent'evich Matveev (1878 - 1960)
Aleksandr Terent'evich Matveev
1878 - 1960
Alexander Vasilievich Gine (1830 - 1880)
Alexander Vasilievich Gine
1830 - 1880
Nikolai Dmitriyevich Kuznetsov (1850 - 1929)
Nikolai Dmitriyevich Kuznetsov
1850 - 1929
Arthur Adamov (1908 - 1970)
Arthur Adamov
1908 - 1970
Tat'yana Grigor'evna Nazarenko (1944)
Tat'yana Grigor'evna Nazarenko
1944
Nataliya Georgiyevna (Nathalie) Parain (1897 - 1958)
Nataliya Georgiyevna (Nathalie) Parain
1897 - 1958
Mstislav Valerianovich Dobuzhinsky (1875 - 1957)
Mstislav Valerianovich Dobuzhinsky
1875 - 1957
Mikhail Matveevich Shvartsman (1926 - 1997)
Mikhail Matveevich Shvartsman
1926 - 1997
Fedor Fedorovich Fedorovsky (1883 - 1955)
Fedor Fedorovich Fedorovsky
1883 - 1955
Saveliy Abramovich Sorin (1878 - 1953)
Saveliy Abramovich Sorin
1878 - 1953
Rudolf Alexander Agricola (1912 - 1990)
Rudolf Alexander Agricola
1912 - 1990
Sofya Isaakovna Dymshits-Tolstaya (1884 - 1963)
Sofya Isaakovna Dymshits-Tolstaya
1884 - 1963
Isaac Soyer (1902 - 1981)
Isaac Soyer
1902 - 1981
Georgy Vartanovich Frangulyan (1945)
Georgy Vartanovich Frangulyan
1945
Nikolay Aleksandrovich Issaev (1891 - 1977)
Nikolay Aleksandrovich Issaev
1891 - 1977

Creators Avant-garde

Carl Andreas August Goos (1797 - 1855)
Carl Andreas August Goos
1797 - 1855
Ernesto Fontana (1837 - 1918)
Ernesto Fontana
1837 - 1918
Wilhelm Kotarbiński (1848 - 1921)
Wilhelm Kotarbiński
1848 - 1921
John Butler Yeats (1839 - 1922)
John Butler Yeats
1839 - 1922
Louis Gustave Cambier (1874 - 1949)
Louis Gustave Cambier
1874 - 1949
Robert Kummer (1810 - 1889)
Robert Kummer
1810 - 1889
Anders Andersen-Lundby (1841 - 1923)
Anders Andersen-Lundby
1841 - 1923
William Rothenstein (1872 - 1945)
William Rothenstein
1872 - 1945
Joseph van Severdonck (1819 - 1905)
Joseph van Severdonck
1819 - 1905
Olga Borisovna Bogayevskaya (1915 - 2000)
Olga Borisovna Bogayevskaya
1915 - 2000
Manuel Khristoforovich Alajalov (1862 - 1934)
Manuel Khristoforovich Alajalov
1862 - 1934
Martinus Schouman (1770 - 1848)
Martinus Schouman
1770 - 1848
Jean Le Moal (1909 - 2007)
Jean Le Moal
1909 - 2007
Luca Pignatelli (1962)
Luca Pignatelli
1962
Rudolf Lehmann (1819 - 1905)
Rudolf Lehmann
1819 - 1905
Alphons Bodenmüller (1847 - 1886)
Alphons Bodenmüller
1847 - 1886
× Create a Search Subscription