Arkhip Ivanovich Kuindzhi was a highly regarded Ukrainian/Russian landscape painter and a member of the amazing group of Russian painters known as the Peredvizhniki (“Itinerants” or “Wanderers”, see my related posts).
Kuindzhi was noted for his unorthodox compositions and daring experiments with lighting effects, perhaps partly stemming from his limited formal training.
He grew up in a poor family, son of a Greek shoemaker, and lost his parents at an early age. He was largely self-taught, though he eventually attended the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts for a time. During his early years he was influenced by the Russian (Crimean) landscape artist Ivan Aivazovsky.
Kuindzhi’s compositions play with extreme positioning of the horizon, large, almost empty spaces, striking contrasts of light and dark, and experiments with brushwork and the application of color.
He sometimes revisited the same or similar scenes, altering the light and handling of color in subsequent compositions.
The experiments with composition and lighting remind me of landscapes by Maxfield Parrish, who would have been a generation younger.
I had the great fortune to see several of these last week at the astounding Peredvizhniki exhibit at Nationalmuseum here in Stockholm. After about an hour of it, I felt dazed. The works were simply stunning….
Daniel, Interesting thought. Thanks.
Thanks, David, Wow, wWould I love to see that.
For the benefit of other readers, here is the exhibition.
There is a video here with English subtitles.
Sad news for today.
Picasso stolen from Athens’ National Gallery
(AFP) – 5 hours ago
ATHENS — A Pablo Picasso painting gifted to Greece by the Spanish-born master was stolen from Athens’ National Gallery early Monday with two other important artworks, prompting scorn from the Greek police minister.
He is one of my favourite Russian artists. He was also famous with his colour pallet.:0)
Beautiful work. I had the good luck to see some of his paintings in Paris some years ago.
He is the one,best of the best,no one can make this magic with colors like he.REal genius!!!