Constantin Korovine

Constantin Korovin was born into a family of Old Believer merchants and at the age of fourteen entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, first in the section of architecture and two years later in that of painting. His teacher was Alexeï Savrasov in particular. He then completed his studies at the school of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg, but left after three months disappointed with the teaching methods. He traveled in 1888 and 1894 in northern Russia and Scandinavia with his friend Valentin Serov; from this trip came several landscapes entitled Port of Norway; Shores of Murmansk; Stream of Saint Tryphon at Petchenga1; Hammerfest in the light of the north, etc. After several trips to France in 1886, 1892 and 1893, influenced by Impressionism, he broke with the severe and realistic style of Ambulants. In 1900, he decorated the Russian Pavilion at the Universal Exhibition in Paris and on this occasion, received a Gold Medal. He was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor by decree of December 28, 1900. Subsequently, he taught in Moscow from 1901 at the school of painting, sculpture and architecture with his friend Serov and became the decorator appointed to the imperial theaters and the Bolshoi Theater (thanks to Alexandre Gorski). He works in particular with Constantin Stanislavski. Korovine, who has a taste for literature, also likes to compose stories. He presents his paintings in Russia especially at the Ambulants exhibitions, at those of the World of Art by Diaghilev2, the Society of Thirty-Six, the Society of Russian Artists, etc. After the October Revolution, he devoted himself actively to the conservation of heritage works of art threatened by events and saved paintings of imprisoned painters from destruction, organized canvas sales and exhibitions in favor of political prisoners, while continuing to work for the theater. His friendship with Fedor Chaliapin lasts more than thirty years. In 1923, he emigrated to France with the help of Lounatcharski, People's Commissar for Education, his main activity remaining the theater. He is buried in the Russian cemetery of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.