Early Life and Education
Isaak Ilyich Levitan, a renowned Russian landscape painter, was born on August 30, 1860, in Kibarty, Augustów Governorate, Congress Poland (present-day Lithuania). His family, of Jewish origin, moved to Moscow when Levitan was young. In 1873, he entered the
Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he studied under notable artists Alexei Savrasov, Vasily Perov, and Vasily Polenov.
Artistic Career
Levitan's work is characterized by its lyrical charm, capturing the essence of the Russian landscape. He pioneered the "mood landscape" genre, spiritualizing nature to convey human emotions. Notable works include
Autumn Day. Sokolniki (1879),
The Vladimirka Road (1892), and
Eternal Rest (1894), all showcased in the
Tretyakov Gallery.
Collaborations and Associations
Levitan collaborated with fellow artists, including
Konstantin Korovin,
Mikhail Nesterov, and
Nikolay Chekhov. He also worked on the illustrated magazine "Moscow" and painted scenery for the Private Russian Opera of Savva Mamontov.
Legacy
Levitan's later work displayed familiarity with Impressionism, but his palette remained muted, focusing on naturalistic and poetic elements. In 1897, he was elected to the
Imperial Academy of Arts, and in 1898, he became the head of the Landscape Studio at his alma mater.
Notable Works and Collections
*
Lady in a Garden by
Viktor Elpidiforovich Borisov Musatov (
Astrakhan State Picture Gallery, Oil On Canvas)
* Head of St.Peter (study) by
Fedor Bronnikov (
Astrakhan State Picture Gallery, Oil On Canvas)
* Harvest by Boris Mikhaylovich Kustodiev (
Astrakhan State Picture Gallery, Oil On Canvas)
Important: Levitan's remains were moved to the
Novodevichy Cemetery in 1941, where he is buried next to his friend and fellow artist, Anton Chekhov.