The Mikhailovsky Palace

The disparities between the realities of life and the attempts of the Academy of Arts to idealise it simmered for a number of decades before bursting into the open revolt of a group of students in 1863. They refused to paint examination pictures on mythological themes and demonstratively left the Academy, forming the Artel — Russia’s first ever anti-Academic commercial art association. Its programmer envisaged the reflection of real life in art and it quickly won authority.

Ivan Kramskoi (1837–1887),the organiser of the St. Petersburg Artist’s Artel was the leader of the whole generation of Realist artsits. Working in different genres the artist achieved the most success in portraiture. In his works he portrayed many prominent personalities of the Russian culture. The portraits of the artist Ivan Shishkin (1880), the sculptor Mark Antokolsky (1876), the philosopher Vladimir Soloviev (1885) are exhibited in the room.

The portrait of Mina Moiseyev (1882) reflects the artist’s ability to concentrate on the most essential things in a portrait. The peasant’s outer appearance and free and relaxed pose evoke a sense of inner calm and independence. The old, wrinkled face radiates warmth and kindness, reflecting the sitter’s great age and wisdom. This portrait was painted in Siverskaya near St Petersburg.