Alexey Bogolyubov created the painting ‘Palermo. The pier, ” between 1854–1860 In the center of the composition he portrayed a stone staircase, which leads down to the pier. On the left side of the canvas you can see a sprawling tree. Two boats are hidden in the shade of the tree. The composition is brightened up with a figure of a man, who is walking up the steps.

Palermo is an Italian city on the island of Sicily. The name comes from the ancient Greek word “Panormos, ” which translates to, “a harbor that”s always accessible.” The climate on the island is typically Mediterranean: hot and humid summers, and short and mild winters. Between 1854 and 1860 Alexey Bogolyubov travelled around Europe substantially, including trips to Palermo. He does an excellent job of portraying the depth and clarity of the waters in Sicily in this painting. The artist skillfully conveys the atmosphere of the southern summer with its hot and humid air.

Alexey Bogolyubov was born in 1824. On his mother’s side, he was the grandson of Alexander Radishchev, a renowned writer who wrote ‘A Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow.’ In 1841 he graduated from military school and joined the Navy. At the end of 1849 he actively began studying painting. He attended classes at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts and studied under Maxim Vorobyov and Bogdan Willewalde. At that time he was very fond of Ivan Aivazovsky and his romantic seascape paintings.

In 1853 Alexey Bogolyubov left the Academy with a big gold medal. The artist retired from military service at the same time, but didn’t cut ties with the Russian naval fleet: he was appointed the official artist at the Russian navy headquarters. Almost immediately after this the artist travelled across Europe for a long period. In his travels, he was very happy to draw from nature. It is known that in the spring of 1855 Bogolyubov and his friends from the Academy went on an artistic escapade and travelled to Naples, Terracina, Palermo, Messina, Sorrento, and through Capri before returning to Rome.

In 1860 Alexey Bogolyubov returned to Russia. When he showcased his work at an exhibition at the Academy of Arts he was well received and earned the title of Professor by the academic council. During the 1860s the artist travelled along the Volga. The allure from the panoramic views of the river amazed Alexey Bogolyubov. It was at this moment that he realized his appreciation for realism and definitely excluded the romantic influence of Ivan Aivazovsky from his works of art.