Krasnoyarsk
1848-1916 Moscow
As
an outstanding representative of nineteenth century Russian realism,
Vasilii Ivanovich Surikov is recognized for his brilliant and unique
talent, and his powerful, creative temperament. He studied with E. E.
Chistiakov at the Petersburg Academy of Arts from 1869 to 1875,
receiving the title of member in 1895. Although he lived primarily in
Moscow after 1877, Surikov traveled to Italy, Germany, and France in
1883-1884 and journeyed to Spain in 1910. Born into a long line of
Siberian cossacks, he also took trips to Siberia regularly as well as to
the river Don (1893), the Volga (1901-1903), and to the Crimea. He was a
member of the Circle of the Itinerants and a frequent participant in
their exhibitions after 1881. Surikov is best known for his large scale
historical compositions, although he also painted portraits and was
fascinated with watercolors.
"...
Surikov is the most Russian of the Russian artists and the only
historical painter among them to whom the label 'great' adheres"
(A. Efros).
