Makovsky Konstantin Egorovich

A Russian painter and graphic artist, a representative of the "late academicism", one of the most famous and highly paid salon artists of the post-Reform era.

Biography

Born in Moscow, into a family rich in artistic traditions – his father, an employee of the Palace Department and an amateur artist, is the founder of the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture; brother Vladimir was also a famous painter, brother Nikolai is a painter and architect.

In 1851, at the age of 12, he entered the Moscow School of Painting and Sculpture. His teachers were M. I. Scotti, A. N. Mokritsky, S. K. Zaryanko— students of Karl Bryullov. Bryullov's influence influenced Makovsky's penchant for romanticism and decorative effects.
In 1858, he continued his studies at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.‑St. Petersburg, but did not graduate from it.
In 1863, he participated in the "revolt of the fourteen": Together with other students, he refused to paint a painting on the theme of Scandinavian mythology for a competition for a Large gold medal and left the academy. He soon moved away from the democratic movement in art, although he retained an interest in subjects from folk life.
He became one of the founding members of St. Petersburg‑St. Petersburg Artel of Artists (1863) and the Association of Peredvizhniki (1870-1883).
After traveling to Egypt, the Middle East, and the Balkans (mid‑1870s), his work shifted from social themes to exotic and historical ones.
In the 1880s, he discovered a craving for melodramatic salon themes. In the late 1880s and 1890s, he turned to subjects from pre-Petrine Russia. His paintings have been awarded at World Exhibitions. He became one of the highest paid Russian artists.
He died as a result of a traffic accident in Petrograd: his crew was hit by a tram, Makovsky was thrown onto the pavement, and he suffered a fatal head injury. He was buried at the Nikolsky cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra (grave has not been preserved).

Titles and awards

Academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts (1867).
Professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts (1869).
Full member of the Imperial Academy of Arts (1898).
Grand Gold Medal of the First Class and the Order of the Legion of Honor at the 1889 World's Fair in Paris.

Creativity and style

Makovsky has worked in various genres:

historical painting;
mythological painting;
religious painting;
genre painting;
Orientalism;
portrait;
nude;
still life;
landscape;
a caricature.

The artist's style combined the features of academic studies, realism, impressionism.

Konstantin Makovsky left a significant legacy combining craftsmanship, decorative art and interest in Russian history and culture. His works are distinguished by the brightness of colors, entertaining plots and artistry.