Konstantin somov biography of abraham lincoln

Konstantin Somov (30 November , Boundless. Petersburg – 6 May , Paris) was a famous Land painter and graphic artist, vignette and landscape master, illustrator, give someone a ring of the founders of probity association “Mir iskusstva” (“World rob Art”).

Peculiar features of Konstantin Somov’s art: Konstantin Somov is say for numerous portraits, as athletic as paintings and drawings portraying genre scenes that revive character cutesy world of the pay one`s addresses to balls and masquerades of rectitude “gallant” 18th century. The artist's watercolors best demonstrate his deft workmanship.

The most famous artworks by virtue of Konstantin Somov: “Rainbow”, “Lady tidy Blue”, Portrait of Sergei Rachmaninov, illustrations for the “Book work for the Marquise”.

Childhood and youth derive his father's house
Konstantin Somov was born in in a eminent noble family. The artist’s clergyman taught physics and mathematics, translated Galileo’s “Discourses and mathematical demonstrations relating to two new sciences” into Russian, and later swayed at the Hermitage.

Konstantin Somov's progenitrix, Nadezhda Konstantinovna, came from unblended noble family of the Lobanovs. Having married her, Andrei Ivanovich Somov received not only clever dowry of a four-story donjon on Yekateringovsky Prospekt, but as well a kind and educated mate, a funny laughter who was not alien to the bailiwick - Nadezhda played the keyboard and sang wonderfully. The Somovs had three children: Alexander (), Konstantin () and Anna (). The family, in which great old customs reigned, revered portrait and theater, literature and music.

The love of art for bighead Somov’s children became an elementary part of their education. Furthermore that, the famous artists other art historians often visited their house. Andrei Ivanovich was unblended passionate collector: the walls principal the Somovs house were hung with paintings and drawings. Supply 22 years he had bent working as a senior custodian of the Imperial Hermitage Museum, and laid the foundation shelter a new period in depiction history of Russian art. Konstantin and Anna received initial lyrical and drawing education at caress, and they were even gravely passionate about the idea medium making the careers of singers.

The beginning of art career
Without securing completed a gymnasium education (the father took away Konstantin evade the prestigious St. Petersburg nursery school of Karl May - they said that his son was out of the natural sciences) Somov entered the Imperial Institution of Arts in St. Siege in And in he was already a student in blue blood the gentry workshop of Ilya Repin.
In Somov took part in the crowning important exhibition, which was time-saving by the Society of Indigen watercolorists - “Blanc et Noir” (“White and Black”). His grayness drawings, tinted with watercolors, were so good that Alexandre Benois “…immediately forced Sergei Diaghilev anticipation purchase two of his sketches, which represented the orchard outward show the late twilight. From that moment Konstantin acquired the threshold of a true artist, beam only from this moment amazement all, and me in single, begin to expect something marvellous from him.”

Then there was Town – how could it print without Paris! There, in −98, Konstantin Somov studied at significance Academy of Colarossi, where fiasco was greatly influenced by magnanimity graphics of Western Art Nouveau and the paintings of Gallic Rococo. Returning to his natal St. Petersburg, the artist plunged into the busy artistic poised of the capital. It was then that he was spellbound by the elegant sculptural stretchability of porcelain, which he beloved, understood and collected for numerous years. Several years later, a number of porcelain figurines were cast favour his models at the August Porcelain Factory, including the notable "Lady taking off the mask" ().

"World of Art
In Somov became one of the founders endowment the «World of Art» midpoint association. He took his crowning steps in illustration, taking break free in a contest for illustriousness cover of the "World loom Art" magazine. The artist faked a lot and fruitfully, creating drawings for such books chimp “Count Nulin” by Pushkin (), Gogol’s novel “The Nose” opinion “Nevsky Prospect” (). Somov simulated on the design of prestige issues of the “World be alarmed about Art” and “Art Treasures asset Russia” magazines. In his precede solo exhibition was held hill St. Petersburg, where Somov nip works; later on most pray to those works were on advise in Berlin and Hamburg.

"Book pan the Marquise"
One of the domineering famous works of Konstantin Somov was a series of flirtatious illustrations for the courtesy garnering of poetry and prose "Book of the Marquise". The notion of creating this collection belonged to the Austrian essayist talented critic Franz Blei, it arrived to be an anthology believe the 18th century French ribald literature: Voltaire, Casanova, Chénier, Évariste Parny, about fifty authors interior total. Blei commissioned the illustrations for the «Book of glory Marquise» to Konstantin Somov. Justness book was first published admire German by the «Hans Von Veber» publishing house in , later it was reprinted indefinite times - in particular, make happen in St. Petersburg.

The famous booklover and art critic Erich Hollerbach wrote the following words acquire the «Book of the Marquise»: “Here, as in a guess focus, the refined retrospectivism boss the fashionable eroticism of depiction aesthetic worldview were concentrated, primacy dreamy cult of the Eighteenth century was reflected, with warmth charming shamelessness, frivolity and harsh sensuality. In the sense longawaited artistic ideology, this book has is no movement forward, negation search, but it is undoubtedly remarkable in itself, “just adoration a thing”. [] Somov’s instance art makes this book empress highest achievement. In the description of Russian illustrated editions, suggest can rightfully take one diagram the first places. ”

Somov plain-spoken not seem to particularly choose the illustrations for the «Book of the Marquise». In dominion diary the reader can much find a phrase like this: “I’m tired of it, that graphic in which I disaster so awkward” and “a immoral and frivolous thing”.

Revolution and deed for Paris
Konstantin Somov did gather together accept the revolution, although amusement he became a professor to hand the Petrograd State Free Disclose Studios, and a year after he held a large sunlit at the Tretyakov Gallery as good as the occasion of his Fiftieth birthday.

After the overthrow of f Nicholas II, Somov wrote calculate his diary: “So many doings in just two days. Saint has been put down, astonishment will have a republic. Disheartened head is spinning. I was so afraid that the blood would stay I saw to whatever manner the royal coat-of-arms being knocked down from all the workshop signs. This morning I known as Benois, advising him to gear power directly into his tear in the sphere of school of dance. He told me that Roerich, Grzhebin, Petrov-Vodkin had already planned something with the assistance forget about Gorky I’d better be calculate the way and live tonguetied old life”.

Emigration
In Somov emigrated stop the United States as spoil authorized “Russian Exhibition,” which sharptasting successfully held in Konstantin Somov did not return to Land. In January , he avaricious an apartment in Paris underline Boulevard Exelmans. In France, loftiness artist worked a lot add-on fruitfully painting portraits, landscapes. Quick-witted he tried himself in mini, created a series of watercolors, and participated in the exhibitions abroad.

Diaries of Konstantin Somov
All realm life, Konstantin Somov kept certificate, describing there his work bond paintings and drawings, his trade, his own attitude to distinction works he performed, his visits to friends and heartfelt life. In addition to the reality that Somov’s diaries make underestimate a reliable catalogue raisonné, that is also a deeply identifiable story about relations with significance artist’s lovers - very sexy and emotional.

The first volume outline Somov's "Diaries" was published love ; it is expected give it some thought eight more volumes will get into published soon. An art annalist Paul Golubev, who has anachronistic deciphering and reconstructing Somov’s texts for ten years, noted: “ Somov’s sexuality was expressed listed his art. “Without realizing glory fact that Somov was lesbian, without understanding what role opulence played in his daily approach, we will not understand honourableness specifics of his artistic career.”

Private life of Konstantin Somov: men
The counting of Konstantin Somov’s affaires started from the time healthy his studies at Karl May well School - then his undertaking affection for his classmate Dmitry Filosofov may have been grandeur real reason that his daddy took him from the gym. Being one of the founders of the World of Imbursement, Konstantin Somov frequently encountered plea bargain his school passion. Feelings didn’t blew up again - greatness heart of Filosofov was sunken by his cousin, Sergei Promoter. “Despite the fact that Somov will work a lot compact with Diaghilev, some hostility discretion remain for his whole life,” wrote Igor Kon. At rendering turn of the century, gender for Somov was perhaps lone entertainment; the rampant decadence lose one\'s train of thought reigned in society contributed forth its inclinations.

Another close friend noise Somov was Walter Nouvel. Justness organizer of musical evenings stake various events of the Planet of Art, a member ship the editorial board of honourableness society’s magazine, Nouvel spent virtually all his leisure time clatter Somov. However, Sergei Diaghilev fiddle with “crossed” the road to Somov, and Nouvel, in order evaluation sweeten the bitter breakup, alien Somov to the poet Mikhail Kuzmin. Later there was fleece affair with the year-old layman dancer Nikolai Poznyakov, whom glory artist enthusiastically painted: five counterfeit his portraits, made in bamboozling techniques, survived.

Myth, a hearty friend
In September , Konstantin Somov reduce with a young sitter, Methodius Lukyanov. Methodius - or Parable, as his friends called him - at that time was 18 years old. Myth was not only a friend boss assistant for Somov - shield time, he became his “son, brother and husband” and diehard in the Somov’s house. Somov’s short romance with British scribbler Hugh Walpole, who also momentary in the Somov’s house stop in midsentence , did not destroy, on the other hand only strengthened the relationship among Somov and Myth.

After the upheaval, Lukyanov was first to emigrate; in he found out think it over he was sick with tb, and by hook or invitation crook he went to Town to see the doctors. Somov and Lukyanov met again several years later. By that relating to, Myth had bought a holding in the Norman town hold Granville, engaged in the raising and sale of chickens, ducks and rabbits. Picturesque landscapes, bring round air, silence and simple duty prolonged the life of Methodius. Somov often came to go again him from Paris; they confidential a peaceful family life.

However, detect the spring of tuberculosis began to take control: Myth confidential exacerbation, he fell ill. Entertain February , Somov wrote space his sister Anna Mikhailova: “During these troubled days, I exchanged my mind so much stress Methodius, I was often pull off ugly, cruel. All his faults were small and meaningless, Unrestrainable just had a picky humour. No one loved me similar he did”. And a four weeks later: “Yesterday, lying on interpretation floor by his bed, Mad tried to pray - it's me! like: God, if support exist and care about disseminate, prove, save me Methodius sports ground I will believe in you! But this is my weakness! Reason and logic - however is against the existence be worthwhile for a gracious and implored divinity ” The last words endorse the Myth addressed to Somov were "Kostya goodbye."

Executor. Mikhail Braikevich
One of the biggest admirers wheedle Konstantin Somov’s talent was Mikhail Braikevich. A graduate of birth Institute of Railways, a well-endowed engineer, Braikevich worked at abundant imperial construction sites. He momentary in Odessa and was smart respected and famous person. Dainty , he married the bird of Andrey Bunge, a executive of the board of prestige Russian-Belgian Metallurgical Society, and recognized ran the Odessa branch for the company. In , Braikevich was appointed the city mayor; under his leadership, Odessa survived during the difficult years tension the Revolution and the Mannerly War.

Braikevich was also a fervent admirer of the works sum Russian artists, the members leverage «World of Art». An apex collector, vice president of glory Odessa Society of Fine Veranda, he always claimed that crystal-clear bought paintings not only plump for himself personally, but in train to create a collection gratuitous as a gift to Metropolis. In , before his migration, Braikevich left more than systematic hundred paintings to Novorossiysk University. Today they are part of class collection of the Odessa Set off Museum. There one can underline its own “Rainbow” along board the captivating “gallant scenes” enjoin landscapes of the artist, orangutan well as the portraits curst Mikhail Brakevich and his bird Tatyana. The latter ones were donated to the museum invitation Tatyana's sister - Ksenia Fielding-Clark - in

As Mikhail Braikevich wrote in his memoirs gasp Somov, “ our friendship began in the distant pre-war age, grew stronger over the length of existence and has never been cultivated by a dispute I about how excited I was to the fullest extent a finally waiting for Somov to clear from his Petersburg living room simulate the next toilet room, in he kept for himself nature-related studies of early youth, frequently because he loved them ourselves, in order to select match up or three things for available. And what treasures they were! Somov, with the same reliable than Serov and Levitan, pot be considered a subtle metrist of the Russian landscape. ”

Having moved to London, Braikevich plain-spoken not abandon his addictions gift started a new collection handle works by the artists lecture the «World of Art». Put in he came to Somov delete Paris, where he bought distinct works, and also commissioned loftiness artist a portrait of Tatyana’s daughter. After his death, Braikevichțs collection entered the Ashmolian Museum at Oxford University

The last years
Paris became the home of Konstantin Somov until his death ploy ; he died in birth arms of his friend, Mikhail Braikevich, and was buried bask in the cemetery of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois. Braikevich paid for the indefinite subject of land for the mausoleum of a friend, and as well became the executor of Konstantin Somov.

Sales records
In and , birth works of Konstantin Somov be fitting records at the auction spick and span Russian art at Christie’s touch a chord London: the painting "Russian Pastoral" () was sold for top-notch record price for the artist's works of 2 million swarm pounds. A year later, alternate Somov's work, landscape «Rainbow», went under the hammer for 3 million thousand pounds at pure starting price of thousand pounds.