Voronezh 1831-1894 livanovsk Khuror (now Chernigov Oblast)
Nikolai
Nikolaevich Ge, an artist of great and original talent, studied at the
Petersburg Academy of Arts from 1850 to 1857, where he was strongly
influenced by the work of K.P. Brullov. (He became a member of the
Academy in 1863.) On a scholarship from the Academy, Ge lived in Italy
for twelve years (1857-1869). There he became closely founding member
and a constant participant in their exhibitions, where his works
represented a new style of Russian history painting and portraiture. Ge's
friendship with L. N. Tolstoy caused him to follow the religious,
philosophical teachings of this great writer. From 1876, Ge lived on a
homestead in the Ukraine, farming and practicing Tolstoy's call for
simple living. During this time, Ge attempted to paint scenes from the
gospels and tried, like Tolstoy, to create
his own "gospels" with paints. When shown in exhibitions,
these paintings both provoked heated debates and arguments, and won Ge a
measure of authority and recognition.
