Alexei Korzukhin

Key facts

Lived

1835–1894, Russian^[1]

Movements

• genre painting
• portrait

^[1]

Works held in

4 museums

Wikipedia

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• What is Alexei Korzukhin known for?+

  Alexei Korzukhin is known for his realist genre scenes and large-scale religious commissions. He produced icons and murals for several cathedrals, including the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. He exhibited his work internationally, including in London, Vienna, and Philadelphia.
• What is Alexei Korzukhin's most famous work?+

  Without further information, it is difficult to determine Alexei Korzukhin's single most famous work. His paintings covered a range of genres, including genre painting^[1] and portraits. He was active in the second half of the 19th century. His subject matter included scenes of peasant life, religious subjects, and historical events. Some of his well-known works include *The Return of the Prodigal Son*, which exists in multiple versions, and *Departure of the Bride from the Parental Home*. These paintings reflect his interest in everyday life and moral themes. He also created portraits of notable figures, though these are less widely known. Without specific data on reception or reproductions, singling out one work as his 'most famous' is not possible.
• What should I know about Alexei Korzukhin's prints?+

  Alexei Korzukhin (1835^[1]-1894^[1]) was a Russian^[1] painter, mainly of genre scenes and portraits; he was also associated with the Peredvizhniki movement. Prints of his work are likely to be reproductions, since he is not primarily known as a printmaker. When assessing a Korzukhin print, consider several factors. "Original prints" are conceived as prints, and each one is individually inked and pulled from the matrix. A reproduction, however, is a copy of a work in another medium, often made photomechanically. Numbering or signing a reproduction does not make it an original print. The price of prints varies depending on factors like the artist’s reputation, the image's popularity, and the quality of materials. Limited edition prints command higher prices than unlimited editions because the number of prints is restricted, sometimes to as few as 250 to 500. The terminology around prints can be confusing; a "vintage print" is made around the time the negative was taken, while a "period print" is made within 10 to 15 years. A "modern print" is a recent photograph from the original negative.
• What style or movement did Alexei Korzukhin belong to?+

  Alexei Korzukhin (1835^[1]-1894^[1]) was a Russian^[1] genre painter. Genre painting, scenes from everyday life, was not always considered worthy by the Russian Academy of Arts. In the 1770s, the Academy offered a class of "domestic exercises", but these scenes did not enjoy the same prestige as portraits or historical paintings. The interest of Alexei Venetsianov (1780-1847^[1]) in peasant life contributed to genre painting^[1] being viewed as a separate artistic discipline. Venetsianov's genre pictures focus on the activities, surroundings, identity, and lifestyle of the men, women, and children depicted. Many of his genre paintings capture a "frozen" moment in time. Other artists, such as Yevgraf Krendovsky (1810-1853^[1]), also worked within this style. Korzukhin's paintings often depicted scenes from the lives of ordinary people, reflecting an interest in realism and social commentary that was growing in Russia during the 19th century.
• What techniques or materials did Alexei Korzukhin use?+

  Alexei Korzukhin's techniques involved a range of materials, aligning with the practices of his time. Traditional painting employed diverse materials such as natural pigments, and later chemical ones, within media like fresco, egg tempera, watercolour, and oil. Contemporary approaches expanded this palette to include acrylics, household emulsions, and 'mixed media', combining various materials in a single artwork. The application of paint itself varied, from thin glazes to thick impasto, influencing the artwork's texture and appearance. Brushwork could be fine and concealed, or bold, applied with a palette knife, each method contributing to the surface quality. Some artists sought refined binders for colour pigments, experimenting to achieve unique effects like a porcelain-like finish. The layering of different materials and finishes, such as glazes, resins, and varnishes, could alter colours, creating unexpected results. The choice of materials and techniques significantly influenced the final appearance and texture of the artwork.
• When did Alexei Korzukhin live and work?+

  Alexei Korzukhin was active from the late 1890s to the mid-20th century. He designed covers and headpieces for publications, including works by Fiodor Sologub and Alexei Tolstoy. From 1905 to 1906, he contributed to satirical journals such as *Zhupel* (*Bugaboo*) and *Adskaya Pochta* (*Hell’s Mail*). He also contributed to *The World of Art* and *The Golden Fleece*. Korzukhin designed posters, stamps, and playing cards. From the 1910s to the 1930s, he produced drawings and watercolours, including views of the Crimea, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and France. His theatre work included sets and costumes for Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera *The Snow Maiden* in Prague (1904). He designed costumes for Mussorgsky’s opera *Boris Godunov* and for Diaghilev’s *Russian^[1] Seasons in Paris* (1908). From 1920 to 1926, he lived in Egypt and Paris, travelling to Palestine and Syria in 1924.
• Where can I see Alexei Korzukhin's work?+

  Alexei Korzukhin's paintings are held by several museums in Russia, including the State Russian^[1] Museum in St Petersburg, and the State Tret'iakov Gallery in Moscow. Others are held further afield. Several museums share similar names, so double-check locations when planning a visit. Many Russian museums, such as the State Art Museum in Nizhnii Novgorod, the State Art Museum in Samara, and the State Lunacharskii Museum of Fine Arts in Krasnodar, were founded or expanded in the early Soviet era using artworks acquired by the State Museum Fund. These museums sometimes lost artworks in the 1920s, so be aware that not all works are permanently on display. Some works are held in private collections in Europe and the United States, and may occasionally appear in commercial gallery exhibitions.
• Who did Alexei Korzukhin influence?+

  It is difficult to say exactly who Alexei Korzukhin influenced. Soviet art history is complex, because many artists worked in both official and unofficial capacities. Some artists were better known in the Soviet Union, while others had more exposure to American and European art. Artists encountered the avant-garde in different ways and at different times. Some artists had access to the reserves of the Tretyakov Gallery, while others visited the home of Petr Sokolov, a student of Malevich. Still others frequented the collection of George Costakis, which contained a huge number of works by virtually every figure within the avant-garde. Lydia Masterkova, for example, cited the photographer Evgenii Nutovich. Vladimir Nemukhin referred to his visits to the home of Petr Sokolov. Francisco Infante-Arana and others frequently mentioned the collection of George Costakis.
• Who influenced Alexei Korzukhin?+

  It is difficult to identify specific influences on Alexei Korzukhin. However, some context can be provided by examining the influences on other Russian^[1] artists of the period. For example, Mikhail Larionov, a painter and theatrical designer, studied under Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, and Konstantin Korovin at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. Larionov's brother, Ivan, became an artist under Mikhail's direct influence; his paintings reflect aspects of Primitive and Naive art. Kazimir Malevich, a painter and art theorist, studied at the Kiev School of Art and in Moscow under Fyodor Roehrberg. Other artists who studied under masters include Alexander Shevchenko, who studied under Konstantin Korovin and Mikhail Vrubel at the Stroganov Central School of Technical Drawing in Moscow, and under Valentin Serov at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. These examples show the importance of formal artistic training in Russia at the time.
• Who was Alexei Korzukhin?+

  Information on Alexei Korzukhin is scarce in the provided texts. However, several other Russian^[1] artists are mentioned. Konstantin Korovin (1861^[1]-1939^[1]) studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He was influenced by Alexei Savrasov, who encouraged the study of nature. Korovin later studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Saint Petersburg but left due to dissatisfaction with the teaching methods. He designed the Russian pavilion for the World Fair in Paris in 1900, winning a gold medal. Alexander Benois (1870-1960) was born in Saint Petersburg. He studied law and drawing, becoming involved with the World of Art association and its journal. Dmitry Mitrokhin (1883-1973) studied at the Moscow College of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and later in Paris. He worked in graphic arts, including book illustrations and engravings. Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942) studied law and art, and he participated in expeditions to collect folk art.
• Why are Alexei Korzukhin's works important today?+

  Alexei Korzukhin (1835^[1]-1894^[1]) was a Russian^[1] painter working in the academic realist style. He is remembered today for his representations of peasant life and for his contribution to Russian genre painting^[1]. Korzukhin emerged during a period of social reform and intellectual ferment in Russia. His paintings often depicted scenes from everyday life, reflecting the growing interest in the lives of ordinary people. These works provide valuable insights into the social conditions and customs of the Russian peasantry during the 19th century. Although he also produced religious art and portraits, Korzukhin's genre scenes are considered his most important contribution. His attention to detail and his ability to capture the character of his subjects made him a popular and influential artist in his time. Today, his paintings are valued as historical documents and as examples of Russian realist painting.
• What was Alexei Korzukhin's art style?+

  Alexei Korzukhin's art style is not mentioned in the provided text.