Aleksey Afanas'ev facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aleksey Afanas'ev
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| Алексей Фёдорович Афанасьев | |
Aleksey Afanas'ev; detail from "Visit to a Sick Friend" by Kyriak Kostandi (1884)
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| Born | November 30, 1850 |
| Died | 1920 (aged 69–70) |
| Alma mater | Imperial Academy of Arts |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Peredvizhniki |
Aleksey Fyodorovich Afanas'ev (born November 30, 1850, in Saint Petersburg – died around 1920) was a talented Russian artist. He was known for his paintings, drawings, and especially his amazing illustrations for books. He was also part of a famous group of artists called the Peredvizhniki, who wanted to bring art to ordinary people.
Contents
The Life of Aleksey Afanas'ev
Early Life and Art School
Aleksey Afanas'ev was born in Saint Petersburg. His parents worked for the Imperial Court. Aleksey himself started working there as a footman and stoker. This shows he came from a humble background.
In 1872, he began taking classes at the Imperial Academy of Arts. A year later, he was accepted as a full student. In 1877, he won a silver medal for his drawings. This was a big achievement for him.
A Teacher and Illustrator
From 1887 to 1905, Aleksey taught art at the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. He helped many young artists learn their craft.
In 1905, he became the Director of an art college in Penza, near Moscow. He held this position for four years. After that, he returned to teaching at the Imperial Society.
From 1889 to 1918, Aleksey showed his art in exhibitions with the Peredvizhniki. This group of artists believed art should be for everyone. They often painted scenes from everyday life.
Art for Famous Stories
After 1912, Aleksey created drawings for many magazines. These included humorous and literary magazines. He also illustrated many famous books.
Some of his most well-known illustrations were for stories by Alexander Pushkin. These included The Tale of Tsar Saltan and The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish. He also illustrated works by Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy.
Perhaps his most famous illustrations were for The Humpbacked Horse by Pyotr Pavlovich Yershov. Many of his beautiful drawings were even published as postcards.
Church Decorations
From 1894 to 1897, Aleksey worked on a very special project. He helped decorate the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg. He created drawings for many of the church's mosaics. He worked alongside other famous artists like Viktor Vasnetsov and Mikhail Nesterov.
Aleksey Afanas'ev disappeared around 1920.
Images for kids
- Aleksey Afanas'ev's works
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Peter the Great saves warriors near Lakhta (1914)
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Holiday (1915)
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Presentation of the Icon (1916)
- Alexander Burtsev, "Aleksey Afanas'ev and His Artistic Career", in Мой журнал для немногих (My Journal for the Few), Issue #9, 1914.
