Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov was a Russian artist who became famous for his work as a portrait painter and graphic artist. Serov's father, who died early, was the composer and music critic Alexander Nikolajevich Serov. Already as a child Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov showed a great talent for drawing. He studied painting in Paris and Moscow with Ilja Repin, an important representative of Russian realism. Afterwards Serov attended the Petersburg Academy of Art from 1880. There he studied under Pavel Chistjakov, who also influenced him with his portrait painting and historical depictions. Through visits to important museums in Russia and Europe, Serov became aware of Old Master painting. He incorporated their painting style into his own works.
Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov painted his first works in the style of Russian Impressionism. Among his most famous works from this period is The Girl with Peaches from 1887, in which he portrayed the daughter of an art patron. Today it can be seen, among other works by Serov, in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. From 1890 Serov devoted himself almost exclusively to portrait painting. In the years that followed, he painted numerous portraits of famous writers and actors. He also made portraits of famous artists, such as the painter Isaak Levitan. Serov liked to paint family portraits and individual portraits of women and children. He attached great importance to capturing the childlike facial expressions and spontaneous movements of his models. Serov experimented with pastels, watercolours and lithographs in his painting technique. In the course of time he refined his portrait style. His portraits show a fine feeling for the individuality of the sitter. The influence of the Old Masters and Art Nouveau are unmistakable.
Serov belonged to the group of Peredwischniki(wanderers). The group consisted mainly of Russian artists who were committed to the style of realism. Serov produced landscape paintings in light colours. He loved the country and often stayed in nature. After this creative phase he returned to portrait painting. Besides politicians and other influential people, he also painted portraits of the Russian writer Maxim Gorky. After a trip to Greece and Crete, Serov devoted himself to classical mythology in his late work. In 1911 he died in Moscow.
Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov was a Russian artist who became famous for his work as a portrait painter and graphic artist. Serov's father, who died early, was the composer and music critic Alexander Nikolajevich Serov. Already as a child Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov showed a great talent for drawing. He studied painting in Paris and Moscow with Ilja Repin, an important representative of Russian realism. Afterwards Serov attended the Petersburg Academy of Art from 1880. There he studied under Pavel Chistjakov, who also influenced him with his portrait painting and historical depictions. Through visits to important museums in Russia and Europe, Serov became aware of Old Master painting. He incorporated their painting style into his own works.
Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov painted his first works in the style of Russian Impressionism. Among his most famous works from this period is The Girl with Peaches from 1887, in which he portrayed the daughter of an art patron. Today it can be seen, among other works by Serov, in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. From 1890 Serov devoted himself almost exclusively to portrait painting. In the years that followed, he painted numerous portraits of famous writers and actors. He also made portraits of famous artists, such as the painter Isaak Levitan. Serov liked to paint family portraits and individual portraits of women and children. He attached great importance to capturing the childlike facial expressions and spontaneous movements of his models. Serov experimented with pastels, watercolours and lithographs in his painting technique. In the course of time he refined his portrait style. His portraits show a fine feeling for the individuality of the sitter. The influence of the Old Masters and Art Nouveau are unmistakable.
Serov belonged to the group of Peredwischniki(wanderers). The group consisted mainly of Russian artists who were committed to the style of realism. Serov produced landscape paintings in light colours. He loved the country and often stayed in nature. After this creative phase he returned to portrait painting. Besides politicians and other influential people, he also painted portraits of the Russian writer Maxim Gorky. After a trip to Greece and Crete, Serov devoted himself to classical mythology in his late work. In 1911 he died in Moscow.
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