Viktor Vasnetsov
Biografie1848 - 1926
Over de kunstenaar
Vasnetsov was born in 1848 in a small village in the Kirov Oblast, as the son of the village priest. His grandfather had been a painter of icons, as was his brother. During his childhood Vasnetsov studied at the seminary, where he assisted the icon painter. In addition to this he assisted Polish painter Andriolli with the frescoes of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral in his native village. After finishing his education, Vasnetsov decided to study in St. Petersburg. In 1870 he applied at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts with success. During his years at the academy, Vasnetsov was known to paint scenes from everyday life mainly.
In 1876 Vasnetsov was invited to Paris by fellow painters. Here, he fell under the spell of illustrating fairy tales. After 1880 Vasnetsov started to paint religious depictions as well. In 1884 he was invited to Kiev and was commissioned to paint the frescoes of the St. Vladimir Cathedral. The influential art critic Vladimir Stasov labled them as sacrilege at the time. In 1885 Vasnetsov spent time in Italy, workingon the decor and the costumes of the opera Snow Maiden by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. In 1910 Vasnetsov was commissioned to design a new military cap for the Russian soldiers. He designed the bogatyrka, based on his own painting of the three bogatyrs. Around this time Vasnetsov started to become involved in architecture as well. Vasnetsov passed away in 1926.
In 1876 Vasnetsov was invited to Paris by fellow painters. Here, he fell under the spell of illustrating fairy tales. After 1880 Vasnetsov started to paint religious depictions as well. In 1884 he was invited to Kiev and was commissioned to paint the frescoes of the St. Vladimir Cathedral. The influential art critic Vladimir Stasov labled them as sacrilege at the time. In 1885 Vasnetsov spent time in Italy, workingon the decor and the costumes of the opera Snow Maiden by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. In 1910 Vasnetsov was commissioned to design a new military cap for the Russian soldiers. He designed the bogatyrka, based on his own painting of the three bogatyrs. Around this time Vasnetsov started to become involved in architecture as well. Vasnetsov passed away in 1926.
