The portrait of Alexander Pushkin, completed in 1827, remains the definitive depiction of the Russian poet, capturing his essence with such precision that Pushkin noted the canvas mirrored his own likeness. Orest Kiprensky established himself as a central figure in Russian Romanticism, navigating the rigid structures of the Imperial Academy of Arts to achieve international recognition for his technical skill.
Early Development and Academic Training
Born in 1782 in Nezhnovo, the painter entered the boarding school of the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg at six years old. He remained within the academy system until 1803, subsequently spending three additional years as a resident pensioner. His commitment earned him the Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts following his success with the 1805 depiction of Prince Dmitri Donskoi after the Battle of Kulikovo.
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In 1804, Kiprensky produced a portrait of his foster father, Adam Shvalbe, which garnered significant attention. The execution was so refined that members of the Naples Academy of Arts initially misattributed the work to seventeenth-century masters like Rubens or van Dyck. This confusion required the artist to secure formal certification from his home institution in Saint Petersburg to verify his own authorship.
Transnational Career and Final Years
The artist relocated frequently, maintaining residences in Moscow in 1809, Tver in 1811, and Saint Petersburg in 1812. His travels eventually led him to Italy, where he spent 1816 to 1822 and returned later in 1828. During his time in Rome and Naples, he became involved in the life of Anna Maria Falcucci, known as Mariucci. In 1836, he converted from Russian Orthodoxy to Roman Catholicism to marry her, but he died of pneumonia in Rome later that same year.
Fast facts
- Born: 1782, Nezhnovo
- Died: 1836, Rome
- Citizenship: Russian Empire
- Primary Movement: Romanticism
- Notable Work: Alexander Pushkin
- Education: Imperial Academy of Arts
- Awards: Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts
Questions readers ask
Where is Orest Kiprensky buried?
He is interred in the church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte in Rome.
What was his primary profession?
He worked as a painter and graphic artist within the Romantic movement.
Achievements
- Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts
- Notable work: Alexander Pushkin
- Notable work: Portrait of A.A.Chelishchev
- Notable work: Portrait of Life Guard Colonel Yevgraf Davydov
- Notable work: Gazette readers in Naples
- Movement: Romanticism
